Recognizing the crucial role that quality education plays in the development of individuals and society as a whole, Senator Bong Go reaffirmed his commitment to improving the country’s education sector.
In an interview after personally aiding poor families in Pili, Camarines Sur recently, Go encouraged the youth to strive for academic excellence, as they are the future of the country.
“Priority rin po ang education. Alam n’yo, diyan po manggagaling ang lahat. Pinaka-basic natin kumbaga,” the legislator said.
“Parati kong ine-engganyo ang kabataan, mag-aral kayong mabuti, kayo po ang kinabukasan ng bayang ito. At iyan po ang puhunan natin. Dala-dala na po natin ‘yan habambuhay, ang edukasyon. Kaya dapat din tutukan natin ang edukasyon,” the lawmaker added.
“Parati kong ine-engganyo ang kabataan, mag-aral kayong mabuti, kayo po ang kinabukasan ng bayang ito.”
The senator stated his unwavering support for educational initiatives and stressed the need to prioritize education in budget allocations.
“Full support ako sa budget ng education noon pa man, lalung-lalo pa mula sa kabataan hanggang sa college po,” he stressed.
“Full support ako sa budget ng education noon pa man, lalung-lalo pa mula sa kabataan hanggang sa college po.”
In line with his vision to improve the education system in the country, Go filed Senate Bill No. 1864, also known as the “Student Loan Payment Moratorium During Disasters and Emergencies Act.”
The measure seeks to defer student loan collections for a reasonable period during and after the occurrence of disasters and other emergencies.
Go also co-sponsored Senate Bill No. 1964, or the Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act, which seeks to institutionalize teaching supplies allowances for public school teachers. The measure has already been passed on final reading in the Senate.
He also filed SBN 1359, or the “No Permit, No Exam Prohibition Act”, which proposes to penalize the implementation of policies such as the “no permit, no exam” policy that prevents students from taking examinations or similar assessments due to unpaid tuition or other school fees.
Go has also played a role in expanding the coverage of the tertiary education subsidy by co-authoring and co-sponsoring SBN 1360. This bill seeks to amend Republic Act No. 10931, also known as the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act.
In addition, he introduced SBN 1190, which aims to broaden the purposes and applications of the Special Education Fund.
Under this bill, the SEF could be used for the operation and maintenance of public schools, payment of salaries and benefits for teaching and non-teaching personnel, competency training for teaching personnel, operation of the Alternative Learning System, and educational research, among other purposes.
Recognizing the importance of providing a safe and supportive environment in schools, Go also introduced SBN 1786 to address mental health issues in private higher education institutions.
This proposed measure mandates PHEIs to establish Mental Health Offices and hire, deploy, and train additional mental health service personnel within the institutions.
He also serves as co-author of Senator Win Gatchalian’s SBN 379, otherwise known as the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act, which aims to provide mental health services, emotional, developmental and preventive programs, and other support services in the basic education level.
