Senator Bong Go reaffirmed his support for the welfare of Filipino teachers following the nationwide rollout of the P10,000 teaching supplies allowance under Republic Act No. 11997, or the Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act, which he co-authored and co-sponsored in the Senate.
Recently implemented across various regions, including the National Capital Region (NCR) and CARAGA, the law grants public school teachers an annual, tax-free allowance of P10,000 to help cover the cost of classroom materials and teaching aids.
“Mga guro ang haligi ng ating edukasyon. Dapat lang na may suporta sila sa mga pang-araw-araw na pangangailangan sa loob ng silid-aralan,” Go said, stressing the practical importance of the allowance for teachers who often shoulder these costs themselves.
This allowance marks a significant increase from previous allocations, which were long criticized by teachers’ groups as insufficient. The legislator underscored that genuine investment in education means directly responding to the needs of educators.
“Kapag ang guro ay may sapat na gamit, mas epektibo silang makakapagturo. At ang estudyante, mas natututo.”
“Hindi lang ito usapin ng mga libro o gusali. Kapag ang guro ay may sapat na gamit, mas epektibo silang makakapagturo. At ang estudyante, mas natututo,” he explained.
“Tandaan natin na ang kabataan ang pag-asa at future leaders ng ating bayan,” the lawmaker added.
Distribution began in CARAGA, with other regions such as NCR commencing disbursements recently.
“This rollout is a concrete step in a larger mission to uplift the country’s teaching force.”
For the senator, this rollout is a concrete step in a larger mission to uplift the country’s teaching force.
Anchoring his education advocacy, Go also mentioned Republic Act No. 11466, or the Salary Standardization Law (SSL) 5, for which he was one of the authors and co-sponsors in the Senate in 2019, which also benefited public school teachers. He also filed Senate Bill No. 2504, or the proposed SSL 6, aimed at providing an updated and competitive compensation for government workers.
Go has also co-authored and co-sponsored several key laws to make quality education more inclusive and resilient. Among these is RA 12077, or the Student Loan Payment Moratorium During Disasters and Emergencies Act, which provides temporary financial relief to students during crises.
Another is RA 11510, which institutionalizes the Alternative Learning System (ALS), catering to out-of-school youth and marginalized learners.
Further expanding protections for students, Go co-authored and co-sponsored RA 11984, or the No Permit, No Exam Prohibition Act, which ensures that students are not denied the right to take exams due to unpaid fees. He also helped pass RA 12006, or the Free College Entrance Examinations Act, which waives fees for top-performing students applying to private higher education institutions.
Go’s commitment to inclusive education extends to the fields of science and technology.
He welcomed the ratification of Senate Bill No. 2974, also known as the Expanded Philippine Science High School (PSHS) System Act, which he co-authored. This measure if enacted allows up to two PSHS campuses per region (excluding NCR), ensures fairer provincial distribution, and places the system under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) for unified governance and academic standards.
To further improve access to higher education, Go co-authored SBN 1360, which if enacted, seeks to expand the coverage of the tertiary education subsidy under RA 10931, or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act — a landmark law signed during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
To ensure these reforms reach their full potential, Go also called for stronger monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. He pushed for closer coordination with local government units and greater transparency in public spending.
“Patuloy kaming magseserbisyo sa inyo dahil bisyo ko ang magserbisyo at ako ay naniniwala na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo ‘yan sa Panginoon, serbisyo ‘yan kay Allah,” underscored Go who is known as Mr. Malasakit for his compassionate service to Filipinos in need.
