‘ANG KABATAAN ANG FUTURE LEADERS AT PAG-ASA NG BAYAN!’ — BONG GO TEAMS UP WITH LOCAL LEADERS TO SUPPORT AND EMPOWER COLLEGE STUDENTS IN BINANGONAN, RIZAL

An adopted son of the CALABARZON, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go led efforts to support college students in Binangonan, Rizal, during his visit on Friday, December 20. Senator Go also reaffirmed his dedication to uplifting the youth and ensuring they have access to opportunities for a brighter future.

“Sa kabila ng mga pagsubok, nandito kami upang maglingkod at tumulong sa inyo sa abot ng aming makakaya. Huwag kayong mawawalan ng pag-asa, dahil kasama ninyo kami sa bawat hakbang patungo sa mas magandang kinabukasan,” Senator Go emphasized.

“Maraming salamat sa inyong tiwala at suporta. Bilang inyong lingkod, patuloy akong magsusumikap na isulong ang mga programa at proyekto na makapagpapagaan ng inyong buhay. Sama-sama nating haharapin ang mga hamon upang matugunan ang inyong mga pangangailangan,” he assured.

In the gathering held at the Ynares Plaza in Barangay Libis, Senator Go, together with his Malasakit Team, provided food packs, snacks, vitamins, shirts, fans, basketballs, and volleyballs to 2,820 students. Select recipients also received bicycles, mobile phones, shoes, and a watch.

Through Senator Go’s efforts and as the Chairperson of the Senate Youth Committee, he collaborated with the provincial government led by Gov. Nina Ynares to extend financial support to qualified indigent students.

As a legislator and education advocate, Senator Go has tirelessly supported youth development and education-related initiatives.

The recent enactment of the Republic Act No. 12077, or the Student Loan Payment Moratorium During Disasters and Emergencies Act, reflects Senator Go’s commitment to protecting Filipinos’ dignity during crises. The law, which he co-sponsored and co-authored, provides temporary financial relief for students with outstanding loans during calamities.

He also co-authored and co-sponsored critical legislation, such as RA 11510, which institutionalizes the Alternative Learning System to reach underserved students, and RA 12006, or the Free College Entrance Examinations Act, which waives entrance fees for top-performing students. Senator Go was instrumental in crafting RA 11997, the Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act, which increases teaching supply allowances for public school teachers, and RA 11984, the No Permit, No Exam Prohibition Act, ensuring students are not barred from exams due to unpaid school fees.

He also hailed the signing of RA 12080, or the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act, addressing the alarming mental health crisis among Filipino students. Senator Go emphasized institutionalizing mental health programs in schools to help alleviate the growing mental health challenges among students.

In parallel efforts, Senator Go also authored and co-sponsored Senate Bill No. 2598, or the proposed State Universities and Colleges Mental Health Services Act, to strengthen mental health services in state universities and colleges (SUCs) across the country. If enacted, the measure will establish Mental Health Offices in every SUC campus to provide comprehensive support and intervention for students, faculty, and staff.

Furthermore, Senator Go has been pushing for SBN 1360, which seeks to expand the tertiary education subsidy under RA 10931, the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, enacted during the term of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

Meanwhile, Senator Go expressed his gratitude to Governor Nina Ynares, Binangonan Mayor Cesar Ynares, Mia Ynares, Rhea Ynares, among others, for their unwavering dedication to public service and their meaningful advocacies.

Governor Nina Ynares emphasized Senator Go’s genuine compassion and dedication to helping communities, especially in education and healthcare.

“Si Senator, actually, sabi ko, ‘Sir, magpa-Pasko na. Sir, ang traffic. Gusto n’yo, next year na lang, sa 1st of January?’ Ang sabi niya, dalawang beses pa n’ya sinabi, ‘Hindi. Gusto ko sana, bago mag-Pasko ang mga bata, magulat ang mga bata. Iyan ang pagmamahal ni Senator Go sa ating kabataan. Hindi lang po siya salita, kundi gawa,” she noted.

The governor also highlighted Senator Go’s proactive approach: “Siya po ay tumatawag, nag-che-check para sa (progress ng) mga health centers, ospital, at eskwelahan. Ang malasakit niya ay tunay na para sa mga tao.”

Rhea Ynares lauded Senator Go’s efforts in prioritizing their town for initiatives benefiting hardworking students.

“Napapasalamat po tayo dahil napili na naman po ang ating bayan na mabibigyan ng biyaya para po sa ating magigiting at masisipag na mga mag-aaral,” she said. “Of course, ito po ay taos-pusong pasasalamat sa ating Senator Bong Go, sa pamamagitan po ni Governor Nina Ynares.“

As Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography and a health reforms crusader, Senator Go encouraged the people of Rizal to avail of medical assistance from the Malasakit Centers in nearby areas, such as Antipolo City Hospital System Annex IV, Casimiro A. Ynares Sr. Memorial Hospital in Rodriguez, Bagong Cainta Municipal Hospital, and Margarito A. Duavit Memorial Hospital in Binangonan.

These centers, which began in 2018, serve as one-stop shops for various government medical assistance programs, including those from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of Health (DOH), the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

Senator Go, the principal author and sponsor of RA 11463, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers, proudly noted that 166 centers are now operational nationwide, providing aid to over 15 million Filipinos, according to DOH reports.

Meanwhile, as vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go supported several other initiatives to help the province’s development. These include the improvement of the road and drainage system in Angono, Rodriguez, and Antipolo City; rehabilitation of the flood control structures along the upper Marikina River in Rodriguez; construction of the Batangas Medical Center Annex in Rodriguez; construction of the Justice Building in Antipolo City; construction and improvement of a multipurpose building and new roads in Baras; and the purchase and installation of streetlights in San Mateo, among others.

“Patuloy kaming magseserbisyo sa inyo dahil bisyo ko na ang magserbisyo at ako ay naniniwala na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo ‘yan sa Panginoon,” concluded Senator Go, who is known as “Mr. Malasakit” for his compassionate service to Filipinos in need.

On the same day, Senator Go also inspected the Super Health Center in San Mateo town and distributed food assistance there. He also met with the barangay captains of Pasig City.