In San Francisco, Cebu, 20-year-old Althea Mae Maningo dreams of lifting her family out of poverty. A student in the Bachelor of Business and Management program at Cebu Technological University, Althea recalls how financial struggles once threatened her education. For her family, every peso mattered, making it difficult to fund her schooling.

Althea remembers how her parents worked extra jobs to cover her school expenses. “Kailangan ko talagang tumulong para ma-sustentuhan ang mga pangangailangan sa eskuwela (I really need to help support school needs),” she said.

Althea's situation is shared by many Filipino students whose higher education dreams are hindered by financial limitations. However, her story changed with the Commission on Higher Education’s (CHED) Tulong Dunong Program (TDP), which provides financial aid to eligible students for tuition, materials, and living expenses.

Althea called the scholarship a privilege, saying, “Isang pribilehiyo ito para sa akin dahil ito ang unang beses na makatanggap ako ng tulong na ganito kalaki. Hindi lang ito para sa akin bilang estudyante, kundi pati na rin para sa mga magulang ko (It’s a privilege for me because it’s the first time I’ve received help of this magnitude. This is not only for me as a student, but also for my parents).”

She also expressed gratitude to Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, who has advocated for scholarships like the TDP as chair of the Senate Committee on Youth. Go’s efforts in education ensure that Filipino students, like Althea, can pursue their academic goals without the financial strain on their families.

For Althea, the scholarship offers more than financial relief — it’s a second chance at her dreams. She explained how it has allowed her parents to focus on their health, which had been neglected due to the costs of her education.

“Nakikita ko na may pag-asa talaga akong makapagtapos at makabawi sa pamilya ko (I see that I really have hope to graduate and make it back to my family),” she said.

Senator Go emphasized his commitment to supporting youth and education to help future generations achieve their dreams. “Ang kabataan ang pag-asa at future leaders ng ating bayan at edukasyon naman ang susi para sa kanilang mas magandang kinabukasan (The youth is the hope and future leaders of our nation, and education is the key to their better future),” he said.

Senator Go also co-sponsored Republic Act No. 12077, the Student Loan Payment Moratorium During Disasters and Emergencies Act, which provides temporary financial relief to students with outstanding loans during calamities. He has been involved in several other educational initiatives, including the Alternative Learning System (RA 11510) and the “No Permit, No Exam Prohibition Act” (RA 11984), among others.