Christian Morales, a fourth-year Public Administration student at Guagua Community College in Guagua, Pampanga, is one of many students who have benefitted from the Commission on Higher Education’s (CHED) Tulong Dunong Program (TDP), an educational support initiative supported by Senator Bong Go.
For Christian, education has never been easy — not because of academics, but because of financial challenges. Both of his parents are unable to work: one is a senior citizen and the other is a person with a disability (PWD). This left Christian with no choice but to support himself through school.
“Ako lang po ang nagpapaaral sa sarili ko kasi ‘yung parents ko po ay isang PWD at isa po ay matanda na po kaya hindi na po nila kaya magtrabaho,” Morales shared.
Receiving the scholarship last year, he emphasized how significant the CHED TDP has been in helping him continue his studies despite their financial situation.
“Malaking tulong po itong CHED TDP para po sa pag-aaral ko. Malaking tulong itong scholarship na ito para mabawasan ang kailangan namin gastusin, hindi lang dito sa school kundi para rin sa mga assignments, projects, at iba’t iba pang gastusin,” Morales explained.
With sincere gratitude, Morales extended his message to Go, whose support made the program possible and accessible for many deserving students like him.
“Sana po marami pang estudyante ang matulungan.”
“Message ko po kay Senator Bong Go, maraming maraming salamat po. Sana po marami pang estudyante ang matulungan dahil malaking tulong po talaga ito,” he said.
The scholarship program has helped thousands of students from low-income families continue their education and strive for a better future. Morales, who dreams of serving the public one day, is now closer to achieving his goals — thanks to the opportunity provided through this program.
Go, a known advocate for accessible and quality education, has always emphasized that education is key to empowering the youth and building a better nation.
“Ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan at edukasyon ang susi tungo sa mas magandang kinabukasan,” the legislator has said.
The lawmaker continues to push for legislative measures that uphold and expand educational access for Filipinos. He is a co-sponsor and co-author of Republic Act No. 12077, or the Student Loan Payment Moratorium During Disasters and Emergencies Act, which grants temporary financial relief to students with loans during times of calamity.
Go also co-authored and co-sponsored RA 11510, which institutionalizes the Alternative Learning System (ALS) to improve basic education for marginalized learners; RA 11984, or the No Permit, No Exam Prohibition Act, which protects students from being barred from exams due to unpaid fees; RA 12006, or the Free College Entrance Examinations Act, which removes exam fees for qualified senior high school students applying to private higher education institutions; and RA 11997, or the Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act, which raises teaching supply allowances for public school educators.
“Patuloy kaming magseserbisyo sa inyo dahil bisyo ko ang magserbisyo.”
The chairperson of the Senate Committee on Youth has assured the public that he will continue to champion education programs like CHED TDP that empower students to reach their dreams and contribute to national development.
“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,” Go emphasized.
With the help of dedicated leaders and programs like this, more students like Christian Morales are proving that no challenge is too great when there is genuine support and a dream to pursue.
