Senator Bong Go joined youth leaders and advocates at the Gawad Bayani Kabataan National Leadership Summit & Awards recently urging young Filipinos to view leadership as a responsibility rooted in service, competence, courage, and compassion.
The chairperson of the Senate Committees on Youth and on Sports was also among those recognized during the gathering at Shangri-La Plaza, Mandaluyong City.
Organized by Realtalk Philippines led by Founder, President and CEO Leo Gamel Orencia, the summit carried the theme “Empowering Leaders. Inspiring Change. Building the Nation”.
Go opened his remarks by reminding participants to take care of their health amid flooding and illnesses affecting different parts of the country. The veteran legislator also thanked Filipinos for giving him another opportunity to serve in the Senate.
“Hindi ko po sasayangin ang pagkakataong ibinigay ninyo sa akin. Magsisilbi po ako para sa Pilipino sa abot ng aking makakaya. Hindi po ako politikong mangangako. Gagawin ko lamang po ang aking trabaho sa abot ng aking makakaya,” the seasoned lawmaker said.
The senator acknowledged Orencia, fellow awardees, and guests, including Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong.
Turning to education, Go recalled how free tertiary education was advanced during the Duterte administration, allowing students in state universities and colleges to pursue higher education without paying tuition.
Building on the law, he filed Senate Bill No. 169, or the proposed Expanded Free Tertiary Education Act, which seeks to widen options for students in areas without accessible state universities and colleges or where preferred courses are unavailable.
Go also cited Republic Act No. 11984, or the No Permit, No Exam Prohibition Act, and RA 12006, or the Free College Entrance Examinations Act, as measures intended to reduce financial barriers to education.
Go then discussed the growing mental health pressures facing young Filipinos.
“Maraming kabataan ngayon ang nakararanas ng matinding pressure mula sa academics, pamilya, trabaho, relationships, social media, at expectations ng ibang tao,” he said.
“May mga problemang nakikita natin. Mayroon namang tahimik lamang nilang dinadala,” Go noted.
He cited RA 12080, or the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act, which institutionalizes mental health programs in schools.
“Alam ninyo po, isa sa ating mga problema ngayon ang mental health. Mental health issues are real. Totoo po iyan,” Go stressed.
He also filed SBN 176, or the proposed State Universities and Colleges Mental Health Services Act, to strengthen mental health support in SUCs.
Amid recent fatal incidents in schools in Tacloban City and Zamboanga, Go said he is pushing SBN 2426, or the proposed Safe Schools Act, which seeks regular safety assessments, emergency drills, and improved school security measures where necessary.
He also emphasized sports as an avenue for supporting young Filipinos. He highlighted the National Academy of Sports in New Clark City, where student-athletes can pursue their studies while receiving specialized training.
Go filed SBN 171, or the proposed National Academy of Sports Regional Expansion Act, to bring similar opportunities to young athletes elsewhere in the country.
“Hindi naman po masama ang social media, pero ilagay natin ito sa tamang oras at tamang edad.”
“Kaysa maging busy lamang sila sa social media, mas gusto kong ma-hook sila sa sports kaysa nakatutok parati sa social media. Hindi naman po masama ang social media, pero ilagay natin ito sa tamang oras at tamang edad,” he said.
“Sports can teach discipline, teamwork, patience, respect, and the ability to recover from defeat. It can also give young people a productive direction and an opportunity to discover talents they never knew they had,” Go added.
“Get into sports. Stay away from drugs to keep us healthy and fit,” he reiterated.
Go then broadened his appeal to the fight against corruption and the need to hold public officials accountable.
“I am one with the Filipino people in this fight against corruption in government,” he said.
Pointing to severe flooding in Luzon and other parts of the country, Go said Filipinos deserve accountability when public resources are wasted or misused.
“Dapat managot ang dapat managot sa mess na ito,” he said.
Go also expressed support for Magalong’s anti-corruption advocacy, stressing that wrongdoing in government must be confronted because ordinary Filipinos bear its consequences.
Returning to the gathering, Go said recognition would not change his commitment to public service.
“With or without an award, patuloy po akong magseserbisyo sa inyong lahat sa abot po ng aking makakaya.”
“With or without an award, patuloy po akong magseserbisyo sa inyong lahat sa abot po ng aking makakaya,” he said.
Go ended by urging young leaders to use every opportunity to help others.
“Tandaan po natin, minsan lamang tayo dadaan sa mundong ito. Kung ano pong kabutihan o tulong ang puwede nating gawin sa ating kapwa, gawin na po natin ngayon dahil hindi na tayo babalik sa mundong ito,” he said.
“Continue learning. Continue serving. Continue creating opportunities for others. And wherever life takes you, never lose your compassion for the people around you,” Go concluded.
