Bong Go highlights importance of education in nation-building

Senator Christopher "Bong" Go stressed that a strong education system is the cornerstone of a thriving society.

On Monday, 30 October, when Go cast his vote for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections in one of the public schools in Davao City, the senator emphasized the need to continuously invest in the education sector, particularly in improving school facilities.

Go, a member of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, said that he will continue to support the construction of public schools and the renovation of existing ones to enhance the quality of education for the youth.

"Ang ganda ng compound nila pero 'yung classroom medyo (luma) na. 'Yung bubong, baka may tulo na 'yan. So ako naman ayaw kong mangako. Bilang senador, sa abot ng aking makakaya, and as a member po ng Basic Education Committee sa Senado, magtutulungan po kami ni Congressman (Vincent) Garcia para maisaayos po ang ating mga eskwelahan," said Go in an interview.

"Importanteng kumportable ang mga bata habang nag-aaral sila lalo na nag-a-adjust pa tayo from online classes to face-to-face classes ulit. Malaking adjustment po ang ginawa ng ating mga school authorities (noong pandemya)," he added.

In the Senate, Go filed Senate Bill No. (SBN) 1190 to expand the purpose and reach of the Special Education Fund (SEF). The proposed bill envisions a broader scope for SEF utilization, empowering local governments to allocate resources for the enhancement of educational infrastructure, faculty development, and the acquisition of essential educational resources if enacted into law.

Furthermore, Go also filed SBN 1360 to build upon the achievements of Republic Act 10931, known as the Universal Access To Quality Tertiary Education Act. This proposed legislation seeks to broaden the scope of tertiary education subsidies, ensuring that a more extensive pool of aspiring college students can access financial assistance to pursue their higher education goals.

"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.

Go also co-sponsored SBN 2441, or the "Free College Entrance Examinations Act," to advance access to quality education, especially for poor yet deserving students. The proposed legislation mandates that private higher education institutions must exempt certain eligible students from entrance examination fees.

Under SBN 2441, indigent students graduating in the top 10% of their high school class would be eligible for free entrance exams in private higher education institutions. If passed into law, this would be applicable for students whose family income falls below the poverty threshold set by the National Economic and Development Authority.

"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 this initiative, Go co-authored and co-sponsored SBN 1864, or the Student Loan Payment Moratorium During Disasters and Emergencies Act. It is designed to offer assistance to students who have borrowed funds but face challenges in repaying them as a result of disasters and other unforeseen emergencies.