Senator Bong Go continues his advocacy for youth development and in providing better access to education by pushing for scholarships and educational support for college students as he dispatched his Malasakit Team to aid scholars during a gathering held in Bulan, Sorsogon.
Go, as Chairperson of the Senate Youth Committee, coordinated with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) for the provision of scholarships to 31 R.G. de Castro College and 26 Solis Institute of Technology qualified students through its Tulong Dunong Program (TDP).
The CHED-TDP aims to assist eligible Filipino students in achieving their academic dreams, in line with the government’s mission to provide inclusive and quality education.
The event was held at the Old Presidencia Building in Bulan, where the scholars also received shirts, vitamins, fans, pens, snacks, and basketballs and volleyballs.
The veteran legislator emphasized the importance of education, encouraging the students to study hard as they represent the future of the nation. The seasoned lawmaker also acknowledged the scholars’ dedication.
“Patuloy nating isulong ang mga inisyatiba para sa kinabukasan ng mga Kabataan.”
“Nanawagan ako ng pagkakaisa at pakikipagtulungan natin kasama na ang iba pang ahensya ng gobyerno, at mga kapwa ko mambabatas na patuloy nating isulong ang mga insentibo para sa kinabukasan ng mga kabataan,” the senator added.
Aside from his support to students, Go has also pushed for legislative measures to promote youth welfare and provide quality education for all.
“Ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan at edukasyon ang susi sa mas magandang kinabukasan. Ito ang tanging puhunan natin sa mundong ito,” he stressed.
The enactment of Republic Act No. 12077, or the Student Loan Payment Moratorium During Disasters and Emergencies Act reflects Go’s commitment to protecting Filipinos’ dignity during crises. The law, which he co-authored and co-sponsored, provides temporary financial relief for students with outstanding loans during calamities.
Go also co-authored and co-sponsored RA 11510, which institutionalizes the Alternative Learning System (ALS) to improve basic education delivery to underserved and disadvantaged students; RA 11984, or the “No Permit, No Exam Prohibition Act”, which prohibits educational institutions from denying students the right to take exams due to unpaid fees; RA 12006 or the “Free College Entrance Examinations Act”, waiving entrance exam fees at private higher educational institutions for qualified top students; and RA 11997, or the “Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act,” which increases the teaching supply allowances for public school teachers, among others.
In addition, he refiled SBN 169 which proposes to expand the coverage of the tertiary education subsidy by amending RA 10931, also known as the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, which was enacted during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
“Make health your top priority to function in school well.”
Reminding the scholars to make health their top priority to function in school well, Go, also being Chairperson of the Senate Committees on Health and on Sports, encouraged them to get into sports and stay away from illegal drugs to stay healthy and fit.
He played a key role in creating the National Academy of Sports (NAS) by being one of the authors and co-sponsor of RA 11470. Located in New Clark City, Capas, Tarlac, NAS combines secondary education with a sports-focused curriculum, offering a dual path for student-athletes to excel in their sports and academic endeavors.
Go also filed SBN 171, or the proposed “National Academy of Sports Regional Expansion Act of 2025” which if enacted aims to institutionalize the establishment of NAS campuses in all administrative regions of the country which is in accordance with the existing law.
“Patuloy kaming magseserbisyo sa inyo dahil bisyo ko ang magserbisyo, at ako ay naniniwala na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo ‘yan sa Panginoon,” he concluded.
