Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Youth, acknowledged the efforts of the local government of Candaba, led by Mayor Rene Malanque, in distributing benefits to 1,000 students under the Department of Labor and Employment's (DOLE) Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) on Friday, at Mayor Action Center Covered Court.

The SPES program provides temporary employment opportunities to students, out-of-school youth (OSY), and dependents of displaced or at-risk workers. The initiative aims to help beneficiaries earn income during summer vacations or semestral breaks, enabling them to support their education and reduce financial burdens on their families.

The program reflects the government’s effort to assist youth from underprivileged backgrounds in continuing and completing their education.

During the event, Senator Go distributed snacks to attendees and gave shirts, basketballs, and volleyballs to selected recipients.

Senator Go expressed appreciation for the Candaba local government’s role in implementing the program. “I commend Mayor Rene Malanque and his team for ensuring that the youth in Candaba receive the opportunities they deserve. Education is a fundamental right, and programs like SPES are crucial in helping disadvantaged students achieve their dreams and secure a brighter future,” he said.

He also emphasized the need to expand government programs that support students. “As Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Youth, I will continue to push for initiatives that uplift our young Filipinos and teach the value of hard work and perseverance,” Go added.

The senator highlighted several laws he co-sponsored and co-authored, including Republic Act No. 11510, institutionalizing the Alternative Learning System to reach underserved communities; RA 11984, or the “No Permit, No Exam Prohibition Act”; RA 12006, waiving college entrance exam fees for qualified students in private institutions; and RA 11997, the “Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act,” which increases teaching supply allowances for public school educators.

He also noted the recent enactment of RA 12077, or the Student Loan Payment Moratorium During Disasters and Emergencies Act, which provides financial relief for students with outstanding loans during crises.

Go further highlighted his support for mental health initiatives, such as RA 12080, the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act, which institutionalizes mental health programs in schools, and Senate Bill No. 2598, which proposes establishing Mental Health Offices in State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) to provide comprehensive support for students, faculty, and staff.