"Ang kabataan ay ang pag-asa ng ating bayan (The youth is the hope of the Motherland)" is a well-known quote from our late national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. Living up to this line today means empowering the current generation through quality education. As a member of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, it is one of my priorities to help promote and give Filipino children the proper education as early as their formative years to have an opportunity for a better future.

That is why when I was invited as a guest speaker at the Leaders’ Summit of the Panpacific University Founding Anniversary in Urdaneta City, Pangasinan on 22 February, I highlighted the importance of the knowledge and skills gained from the four corners of the classroom and how these can empower the youth to uplift the lives and overcome poverty. As a father, seeing our children strive in their studies is the best reward for any parent’s hard work to give our children a brighter tomorrow. That is why, aside from tokens given to attendees, I also offered scholarships for top students in the said university through the “Tulong Dunong” Program of the Commission on Higher Education.

We have pushed various measures to enhance the education sector. I co-authored and co-sponsored Senate Bill No. 1359, known as the No Permit, No Exam Prohibition bill; SBN 1864, the Student Loan Payment Moratorium During Disasters and Emergencies bill; and SBN 1964, the “Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo” bill. 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, I also co-authored and co-sponsored Senate Bill No. 1360, which proposes to broaden subsidies for tertiary education by amending the said Act.

There is also a need to promote the mental well-being of our students and educators, which is why I filed Senate Bill No. 1786, which seeks to mandate public higher education institutions (HEIs) to establish Mental Health Offices on their respective campuses. I have also co-authored and co-sponsored Senate Bill No. 2200, or the proposed Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act.

By authoring and co-sponsoring RA 11470, we also facilitated the establishment of the National Academy of Sports, which offers dedicated sports education to gifted young athletes in the Philippines. As the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Sports, this is crucial in fostering youth discipline, teamwork, and physical well-being. My advice to the youth is to get into sports and stay away from drugs to keep healthy and fit.

I also advised the attendees of the importance of selfless and compassionate service. Being known as Mr. Malasakit, service to me is more than just doing good deeds. True service means putting others ahead of yourself and recognizing that what we can do has a ripple effect, inspiring others to take action. That is why I continue to go to communities to help those in need.

On 21 Feb., we went to Marinduque to commemorate the province’s 104th Founding Anniversary with Gov. Presby Velasco and other local officials.

Last 22 Feb., we also witnessed the groundbreaking ceremony of a Super Health Center in Sison, Pangasinan, with Mayor Danilo Uy. Afterward, we distributed aid to 61 fire victims in Las Piñas City and 86 in Parañaque City. These victims also received support from NHA’s emergency housing assistance to help them buy materials like nails and cement to rebuild their homes. That day, I also checked the damages brought by another fire incident in Brgy. Talon Uno, also in Las Piñas City, wherein my Malasakit Team also gave the victims meals and other forms of aid.

On 23 February, we were also invited to celebrate the 1st Cityhood Anniversary of Carmona City, Cavite, with Cong. Roy Loyola, Mayor Dahlia Loyola, and other officials. Before this, we had an inspection of its Super Health Center. We also attended the National Kidney and Transplant Institute’s 41st Foundation Anniversary and Loyalty Awarding Ceremony on the same day. At the same time, my team also distributed free rice porridge to some patients at the Malasakit Center in NKTI.

Yesterday, 25 February, I was invited by Laguna Vice Governor Karen Agapay to be a guest speaker at the reunion of former members of the Sangguniang Kabataan held at the Laguna Sports Complex Gymnasium. Afterward, we visited the fire victims in Cebu City. A total of 62 families temporarily housed at Neneng Gym in Brgy. Tisa, Cebu City, benefited from our relief efforts.

Meanwhile, our Malasakit Team also assisted 12 fire victims in Mati City; four in Bucana, Davao City; 226 in Cagayan de Oro City; three in Binuangan, Misamis Oriental; 30 in General Santos City; four in Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat; ten in Midsayap, North Cotabato; three in Norala, South Cotabato; two in Cotabato City; ten in Butuan City; three in Iligan City; and 38 in Pasay City. Also, on 19 February, my team visited and aided the victims of heavy winds and waves in the Island Garden City of Samal with Councilor Renz Allan Lacorte.

We also helped the 169 displaced workers in Lian, Batangas, with Vice Gov. Mark Leviste and Vice Mayor Ronin Leviste; 64 displaced workers in Sampaloc and 157 in Sta. Mesa, with the Pioneer Group of Senior Citizens of Manila City; and 60 is in Asuncion, Davao del Norte. In South Cotabato, 197 displaced workers were aided in coordination with Vice Governor Arthur Pingoy, Jr. These beneficiaries were given temporary work by the Department of Labor and Employment.

Moreover, around 350 underprivileged residents in Sibalom, Antique received assistance from our team during a medical mission with Vice Governor Ed Denosta. We also supported 75 TESDA scholars of the University of San Jose Recoletos and 75 beneficiaries in Cebu City with Councilor Dondon Hontiveros.

My team also attended the turnover of President Roxas, Cotabato Super Health Center with Mayor Jonathan Mahimpit; the groundbreaking ceremony of Super Health Center in Piñan, Zamboanga del Norte with Mayor Cecilia Jalosjos Carreon; the grand opening of Dialymed Renal Care Center in Caloocan City; and the opening ceremonies of the 11th Asian Age Group Championships at Aquatics Center New Clark City.

Together, let us continue to help and serve those who need government attention to the best of our abilities to provide our children with a better and brighter future.