BONG GO CO-SPONSORS LOCAL SCHOOL BILLS FOR DAVAO ORIENTAL; THANKS FELLOW SENATORS FOR UNANIMOUS APPROVAL ON THIRD AND FINAL READING

In a significant stride towards improving educational access in Davao Oriental, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go co-sponsored two vital local school bills that have successfully passed on the third and final reading in the Senate on Wednesday, August 28.

As Chair of the Senate Youth Committee and member of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Go expressed his gratitude to his fellow senators for their unanimous support in approving these bills that will benefit Davao Oriental, emphasizing the collective effort to prioritize education for all.

“Ang ating kabataan ang pag-asa at future leaders ng ating bayan at edukasyon ang susi sa mas magandang kinabukasan,” Go emphasized.

House Bill No. 9890, which seeks to establish Surop National High School, and House Bill No. 9891, which proposes the creation of Tiblawan National High School, both in Governor Generoso town, highlight the commitment to providing quality education in the rural areas of Davao Oriental.

These schools are expected to serve as critical hubs for learning, fostering the academic and personal growth of the youth in these communities.

“Ang edukasyon ay hindi lamang para sa mga nasa sentro ng bayan kundi pati na rin sa mga nasa liblib na lugar. Ang mga kabataan sa Surop at Tiblawan ay nararapat na magkaroon ng parehong oportunidad na makapag-aral at magtagumpay sa buhay,” Go stated.

He further highlighted the broader implications of these bills for the community’s future.

“Ang pagkakaroon ng sariling paaralan sa mga barangay na ito ay hindi lamang magbibigay ng edukasyon sa mga kabataan kundi mag-aangat din ng antas ng kabuhayan ng mga pamilya at komunidad. Malaki ang magagawa ng edukasyon para sa pag-unlad ng bawat isa at ng buong bayan,” Go added.

With the successful passage of these bills, the establishment of Surop National High School and Tiblawan National High School is now a step closer to reality. These new institutions will not only provide accessible education to the youth of Governor Generoso but will also serve as pillars for the development of the entire municipality.

Go is known for his advocacy for education and youth. Building upon the successes of Republic Act No. 10931, the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, signed into law by former President Rodrigo Duterte, Go co-authored and co-sponsored Senate Bill No. (SBN) 1360 seeks to expand the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) coverage.

Additionally, Go co-authored and co-sponsored RA 11510, which institutionalizes the Alternative Learning System (ALS) to improve basic education delivery to underserved and disadvantaged students; RA 11984, or the “No Permit, No Exam Prohibition Act”, which prohibits educational institutions from denying students the right to take exams due to unpaid fees; RA 12006 or the “Free College Entrance Examinations Act”, waiving entrance exam fees at private higher educational institutions for qualified top students; as well as RA 11997, or the “Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act,” which increases the teaching supply allowances for public school teachers.

Moreover, Go continues to push for his filed Senate Bill No. 1864 which aims to provide a moratorium on student loan payments during disasters; as well as SBN 1786 which would require public higher education institutions to have Mental Health Offices on their campuses. Also, he is a co-author and co-sponsor of SBN 2200, or the proposed Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act.

“Hinding-hindi ko po sasayangin yung pagkakataong ibinigay nyo po sa akin. Magtatrabaho po ako para sa Pilipino. At iyan po ang pwede kong i-alay sa inyo, ang aking bisyo sa pagseserbisyo,” said Go who is known as Mr. Malasakit for his compassionate service to Filipinos in need.