In a show of support for future educators, Senator Bong Go personally attended the Dr. Carl E. Balita Review Center’s Ultimate Final Coaching series for the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) at the Cuneta Astrodome in Manila recently.
“Edukasyon ang susi sa magandang kinabukasan at ang kabataan ang pag-asa at future leaders ng ating bayan,” Go stressed.
Addressing a crowd of approximately 5,000 aspiring teachers on the final stretch of their licensure review, the legislator urged them to remain steadfast in their dedication to their profession of being educators and molders of the nation’s future leaders.
“Lahat ng hirap na ito ay magbubunga ng isang mas makulay na bukas.”
“Sa ating mga LET takers, kayo ang kinabukasan ng ating edukasyon. Alam kong hindi madali ang inyong pinagdaanan–mga puyat, pagod, at walang katapusang aralin. Ngunit lagi ninyong tandaan, lahat ng hirap na ito ay magbubunga ng isang mas makulay na bukas,” the lawmaker said.
“Nakikita ko sa inyo ang pagmamahal at dedikasyon sa pagtuturo, at alam kong malayo ang inyong mararating. Bilang inyong Mr. Malasakit, nandito ako para suportahan kayo. Patuloy lamang sa pagiging masipag at matiyaga, at siguradong makakamit ninyo ang tagumpay,” the senator added.
The event coincided with the celebration of World Teachers’ Month, providing Go with a platform to express his deep appreciation for the hard work and dedication of Filipino teachers. He highlighted the vital role teachers play in nation-building, noting that their passion and perseverance shape the youth who are the future of our nation.
“Bilang pagdiriwang ng World Teachers’ Month, nais ko rin pong bigyan ng espesyal na pagkilala ang ating mga guro. Saludo kami sa inyong lahat! Kayo ang tunay na bayani ng ating bayan–ang gumagabay sa ating mga kabataan tungo sa mas maliwanag na hinaharap,” he remarked.
“Hindi matatawaran ang inyong papel sa paghubog ng mga kabataan.”
“Maraming salamat po sa inyong dedikasyon at sakripisyo. Hindi matatawaran ang inyong papel sa paghubog ng mga kabataan at sa pagtataguyod ng edukasyon bilang pangunahing pundasyon ng ating lipunan,” Go expressed.
He shared key legislative measures he is pushing in support of the youth sector. Among these is his filed Senate Bill No. 1786, which if enacted into law would mandate public higher education institutions (HEIs) to establish Mental Health Offices on campuses, ensuring that students and faculty have access to much-needed mental health services. Go also co-authored and co-sponsored SBN 2200, or the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act.
“Bilang Chair ng Senate Youth Committee, paalala ko sa kabataan na kayo ang pag-asa at future leaders ng ating bayan at ang edukasyon ang susi sa mas magandang kinabukasan,” he emphasized.
Additionally, Go co-authored and co-sponsored RA 11510, which institutionalizes the Alternative Learning System (ALS) to improve basic education delivery to underserved and disadvantaged students, including Indigenous students, those from less privileged backgrounds, and students with physical and learning disabilities.
He also addressed the financial challenges students face, citing his co-authorship and co-sponsorship of 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.
Go heralded a significant advancement in educational equity as the “Free College Entrance Examinations Act” became a law, waiving entrance exam fees at private higher educational institutions (HEIs) for qualified students. As one of the authors and co-sponsors of the measure, he cited that the new law targets natural-born Filipino students who are among the top 10 percent of their graduating high school class and come from families below the poverty threshold.
Meanwhile, another recently signed law RA 11997, or the “Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act,” which he co-authored and co-sponsored is a significant legislative measure aimed at increasing the teaching supply allowances for public school teachers.
Go also highlighted the significant progress made during the administration of former President Duterte, particularly with the enactment of Republic Act No. 10931, the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act. This law has provided free education to many impoverished students at local colleges, universities, and state-operated technical vocational institutions. Building on this, he co-authored and co-sponsored Senate Bill No. 1360, aimed at expanding the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES).
