Senator Christopher "Bong" Go personally encouraged graduates to maximize the education they received not only to better themselves but also for the betterment of their communities and the country as a whole.

He said this as he was invited as guest of honor and speaker during the 33rd Commencement Exercises of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) Maragondon Branch in Cavite on Friday, 6 October. Alongside Go during the graduation rites were Maragondon Mayor Lawrence "Umbe" Arca, and Councilors Emil Digal, Reciel Diño, Joel Perio, Alexander Alan Angeles, and Bonn Rillo, as well as other local and community leaders.

Go provided gift packs to a total of 480 students. Furthermore, the senator also gave tokens to the summa cum laude, magna cum laude, and cum laude. On the same day, the PUP-Alfonso Branch also held its 7th Commencement Exercises wherein the senator also extended gift packs to 121 graduates.

Go shared his thoughts on the importance of education and the potential that lies within each individual. He emphasized the value of hard work, perseverance, and dedication, traits that have been integral to his own journey in public service.

"Ngayong araw na ito, ako ay narito upang magbahagi ng ilang salita ng inspirasyon, hindi lamang bilang isang senador, kundi bilang isang taong nagmumula rin sa munting pangarap na katulad ninyo. Ako'y isang simpleng tao lang po na nagmula sa Davao (City) sa Mindanao na binigyan niyo ng pagkakataon na maging senador ng bayan na ito. Isa lang po ang mapapayo ko sa inyo, sa mga graduates, malay niyo maging isa rin kayong senador ng bayan at isa lang po ang sikreto diyan, mahalin po natin ang ating kapwa Pilipino, hinding hindi po tayo magkakamali," Go said.

"Isang mahalagang aral na nais kong ibahagi sa inyo ay ito: Huwag kayong titigil sa paghabol ng inyong mga pangarap. Ngayon, dala ninyo ang mga diploma na simbolo ng inyong pagsusumikap, at ito ay magiging susi sa mas makulay na hinaharap… Hindi ko alam kung anong mga pangarap ang mayroon kayo, ngunit alam kong may potensyal kayong magkaroon ng malaking epekto sa ating lipunan. Bawat isa sa inyo ay may kakayahan na maging bahagi ng pag-angat at pag-unlad ng ating bansa," he added.

In his speech, Go also highlighted some of his legislative initiatives that aim to boost the education sector.

Building upon the successes of Republic Act No. 10931 or the Universal Access To Quality Tertiary Education Act, which was enacted during the term of former president Rodrigo Duterte, Go expressed support for proposals to expand it further.

"Ito ang rason kung bakit isinabatas noong panahon ni dating pangulong Rodrigo Duterte ang Republic Act No. 10931, o ang Universal Access To Quality Tertiary Education Act. Ako rin ay nag co-author at co-sponsor ng panukalang Senate Bill No. 1360 na layuning mas palawakin pa ito lalo," he explained.

"Kung maipasa natin ito, mas mabibigyan natin ng pagkakataon ang mga qualified and deserving students natin na makakuha ng kalidad na edukasyon," Go emphasized.

In addition to his efforts to support tertiary education, Go has also filed SBN 1190, which if enacted into law, seeks to expand the purpose and application of the Special Education Fund (SEF) of local government units. By broadening the scope of SEF utilization, local governments will have the opportunity to allocate more resources for the improvement of educational facilities, the professional development of teachers, and the acquisition of necessary educational materials.

Meanwhile, Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Sports, authored and co-sponsored Republic Act No. 11470, establishing the National Academy of Sports (NAS) in 2020. The said law is in line with Go's vision of providing a dedicated learning facility where promising young athletes can further hone their talents while getting a quality education. The NAS Main Campus is located at the New Clark City Sports Complex in Capas, Tarlac.

"Huwag nating kalimutan ang mga tao at mga aral na naging bahagi ng ating buhay habang kayo ay nag-aaral sa PUPMB. Ang inyong edukasyon ay isang mahalagang yaman na inyong dadalhin kahit saan mang dako ng mundo. Ang edukasyon ay ang susi sa inyong kinabukasan, at kayo ang may kakayahan na magbukas ng mga pinto ng oportunidad," cited Go.

"Hindi mahalaga kung gaano kalayo ang inyong marating sa inyong mga pangarap. Ang mas mahalaga ay ang inyong determinasyon na hindi kayo titigil, hindi kayo susuko, at patuloy na mag-aambag para sa kabutihan ng ating mga kababayan at kabutihan ng ating kapwa Pilipino," he continued.

The senator then expressed his heartfelt gratitude to teachers and parents in attendance. He acknowledged their crucial role in the graduates' journey, saying, "Nais ko rin bigyang-pagkilalala ang mga guro at mga magulang na nagturo sa atin ng halaga ng edukasyon. Sila ang nagbigay sa atin ng inspirasyon upang magpatuloy sa pag-aaral, at sila ang naging gabay natin sa paglalakbay na ito."

"Tandaan po natin at sana po ay maalala niyo ito sa mahabang panahon. Minsan lang po tayo dadaan sa mundong ito. Kung ano pong kabutihan o tulong na pwede nating gawin sa ating kapwa, gawin na po natin ngayon dahil hindi na po tayo babalik sa mundong ito. Ako po ang inyong Kuya Senator Bong Go, patuloy na magseserbisyo po sa inyong lahat," he concluded.

Later that day, Go flew to the province of Cebu where he attended the Barangay Health Workers Summit and led a relief operation for fire victims in Cebu City. He also visited Lapu-Lapu City where he joined the ribbon-cutting and opening of a new wing at Lapu-Lapu City Hospital and celebrated Teachers' Day at Hoops Dome.