ON Thursday, February 8, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go who is considered an adopted son of CALABARZON region, coordinated with the Office of Rizal Governor Nina Ynares to provide support to students facing economic and social challenges.
He visited Morong where students from the town as well as some from Teresa and Cardona were gathered by the provincial government. The local government of Morong also announced that day that it had declared Go as an adopted son of the town through a local resolution.
Go and his Malasakit Team distributed grocery packs, vitamins, and snacks to 936 students during the relief activity held at the Morong municipal gymnasium. There were also select recipients of shoes, shirts, watches, mobile phones, and balls for basketball and volleyball. The beneficiaries were also eligible for financial aid through the provincial government’s efforts.
The senator acknowledged the support of the Ynares family, whom he considered his own family in Rizal. He specifically recognized Governor Ynares, Vice Governor Junrey San Juan Jr., Mayor Sidney Soriano, and Vice Mayor Jose Fred Feliciano Jr. for their dedication and partnership in serving the community.
“Kung ano pong maitutulong ko sa inyo through Tulong Dunong Program o anumang scholarship ay willing po akong tumulong. Kung anong maitutulong natin sa mga estudyante dito sa Rizal, tutulong po ako,” he said.
“Basta isa lang po ang pakiusap ko sa inyo, mag-aral kayo nang mabuti. Sa bawat estudyanteng makakapagtapos ng pag-aaral, buong pamilya nila ang maaari nating maiahon sa hirap. Huwag din nating kalilimutang pasalamatan ang ating mga magulang na halos nagpapakamatay magtrabaho mapaaral lang ang kanilang anak,” he added.
Aside from supporting students through financial support and scholarships from existing government programs, Go has been actively involved in legislative initiatives to improve the Philippine education system.
Among these bills that Go co-authored and co-sponsored in the Senate to help poor and indigent students as well as teachers are: Senate Bill No. 1359, known as the No Permit, No Exam Prohibition Bill; SBN 1864, the Student Loan Payment Moratorium During Disasters and Emergencies bill; and SBN 1964, the Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo bill.
Go also co-authored and co-sponsored SBN 1360, aiming to broaden the scope of the tertiary education subsidy by amending RA 10931 which was among the landmark measures enacted into law during the Duterte administration to provide free tertiary education in select institutions.
Additionally, he also introduced SBN 1190 to expand the Special Education Fund of local government units.
Meanwhile, Go also co-authored Republic Act No. 11510, which institutionalized the Alternative Learning System program to help disadvantaged students access education despite their difficult situations.
Go also highlighted the National Academy of Sports (NAS), a fully operational institution in New Clark City in Tarlac. He authored and co-sponsored the measure that became Republic Act No. 11470, establishing the NAS in 2020. NAS is a government-run educational institution that offers quality secondary education with a special curriculum on sports for gifted young Filipinos who want to enhance their physical and mental capabilities in sports.
Go, who chairs the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, also advised the families who have health concerns to take advantage of the medical assistance programs offered in the Malasakit Centers inside Antipolo City Hospital System Annex IV, Casimiro A. Ynares Sr. Memorial Hospital in Rodriguez, Bagong Cainta Municipal Hospital, and Margarito A. Duavit Memorial Hospital in Binangonan. The program is celebrating its 6th year this month.
In the past, Go, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, has also supported several initiatives to help in the province’s development. These include the construction of the Taytay Sports Complex, improvement of the road and drainage system in Angono, Rodriguez, and Antipolo City; rehabilitation of the flood control structures along the upper Marikina River in Rodriguez; construction of the Batangas Medical Center Annex in Rodriguez; construction of the Justice Building in Antipolo City; construction and improvement of a multipurpose building and new roads in Baras; and purchase and installation of streetlights in San Mateo.
Furthermore, Go supported the construction of numerous Super Health Centers nationwide. In Rizal, a total of 12 Super Health Centers are funded.
On the same day, Go also visited the public market in Morong, a project he advocated for and supported. He then proceeded to Sta. Cruz, Manila, where he also aided fire victims.
