Commission on Higher Education chairperson Prospero de Vera III last Friday lauded the pivotal role of Senator Christopher "Bong" Go for the senator's exceptional contributions to the advancement of the country's education sector.

"In those dark days when there was an attempt to veto the bill for free higher education, I got a phone call from Senator Bong Go. I remember that call in 2017 where the senator told me that I can write a confidential memo to the President showing that free higher education is feasible," said De Vera during the inaugural University of the Philippines-State Universities and Colleges "Pagtutulay, Pagtutuloy: Strengthening Partnerships in Philippine Public Higher Education Summit" held at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Davao City.

The summit brought together leaders from various SUCs, Baguio City congressman and chairperson of the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education Mark Go and representatives from private higher education institutions.

De Vera extended his heartfelt gratitude to Go for his tireless efforts in supporting legislation that not only provides greater access to quality education but also uplifts the welfare of educators and students alike.

The CHEd chairperson also recalled the moment when Go reached out to him and expressed his concern that there were significant objections surrounding the enactment of the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act.