On Saturday morning, former Special Assistant to the President (SAP) and 2019 senatorial candidate Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go presented his proposals on how to provide the youth with quality education and keep them away from illegal drugs, criminality and corruption.

“Priority talaga namin ni Pangulong Duterte ang mga kabataan. Ilayo natin ang mga kabataan sa droga at iba pang masamang bisyo. Higit sa lahat, bigyan po natin (sila) ng quality education para sa mas magandang kinabukasan,” Go said.

Go stressed the importance of education in the formation of children as responsible citizens of the country and to draw them away from the negative influence of drugs, crime, and other illegal activities.

Go made the statement in his visit to Tiaong town in Quezon province, where he was invited as the guest of honor at the alumni homecoming of the Recto Memorial National High School.

The former SAP was welcomed in the event by the entourage of Tiaong Mayor Ramon Preza, Quezon Provincial Governor David C. Suarez, alumni of Recto Memorial National High School and the townspeople of Tiaong.

Go also called for re-assessment of the K-12 program and its impact to poor families. He said he has been receiving feedback on the K-12 program and its implementation in the past years, particularly on the extended duration of a student’s high school education.

“Pinag-aaralan po namin ito ng maigi. Bukod sa makapasok sa school ang kabataan, hangad natin na makatapos sila, makapagtrabaho at makatulong sa pamilya,” he said.

He added that he is aware that the K-12 program is intended to make our country’s educational system to be at par with international educational standards. However, he said there is a need to assess its implementation and its impact on the drop-out rates and employability of recent graduates of the program.

“Tumaas ba ang drop out rate dahil sa dagdag na dalawang taon? Nag-improve ba ang performance ng ating mga estudyante? O mas naging pabigat ba ito lalo na sa mahihirap na pamilya? Yan ang patutuunan ko ng pansin sakaling palarin ako sa Senado,” Go said.

Likewise, Go assured the alumni of the school that he would coordinate with appropriate agencies of the government on their request for additional buildings, renovation of the existing ones, as well as scholarships for indigent yet deserving students.

As part of his legislative agenda Go seeks to provide free school supplies and uniforms by increasing the budget of the Department of Education and amending the Local Government Code to allow local government units to use their Special Education Fund (SEF) for the purpose and to increase as well the salaries of public school teachers, among others.

Bong Go also joined the alumni and school administrators in a boodle fight after the event to show solidarity with their cause of improving the education system in the country.

Meanwhile, Go also bared that a Malasakit Center would rise soon in Quezon. A brainchild of Go, the Malasakit Center is a program of the Duterte administration creating a one-stop-shop to house in one room all concerned agencies such as the DOH, DSWD, PAGCOR, PCSO and Philhealth in one room.

“Malapit na po. Nakapag-occular (inspection) na and soon start na po ng construction and target ay by February operational na,” Go told the media.

The center would make it easier and faster for indigent and disadvantaged patients to avail of financial and medical assistance from the government.

Aside from and health, Go’s legislative agenda covers programs on agriculture, housing, long-term sports development, anti-corruption drive, anti-illegal drugs and criminality drive, localized peace talks, fire safety and prevention, the creation of a Department of OFWs, barangay welfare, as well as senior citizens.