Senator Christopher “Bong” Go personally delivered his words of encouragement for midyear graduates from various colleges of Tarlac State University on Wednesday, September 27.
As the university’s invited commencement speaker and guest of honor, the senator emphasized the significance of education as the key to personal and societal progress. He then added the opportunities that proper education provides and the importance of graduates using their newfound knowledge to make a positive impact on society.
“Today is a day of triumph for 287 young minds. Each one of you has shown remarkable resilience and ingenuity. Ang inyong mga pamilya, mga propesor, at ang inyong mga komunidad na kinabibilangan ay masaya sa inyong tagumpay,” said Go.
“Huwag sana nating kalimutan na ang edukasyon ay higit pa sa mga grades o honors na inyong nakuha. Sa ating mundo ngayon na patuloy na nagbabago, ang inyong edukasyon mula sa Tarlac State University ay magbibigay sa inyo ng mga kasangkapan na tutulong sa inyo na makamit hindi lamang ang inyong mga pangarap kundi maging ang pangarap ninyo sa ating bansa,” he added.
The senator was also accompanied by Governor Susan Yap, Mayor Cristy Angeles, Board Member Dennis Norman Go and other local leaders as well as university officials including President Dr. Arnold Velasco, Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Agnes Macaraeg, Vice President for Administration Dr. Grace Rosete, and TSU Special Assistant to the President Dr. Brigido Corpuz, among others. Also acknowledged was former Capas Mayor and TSU Alumni Regent Reynaldo “ReyCat” Catacutan.
“Ako po’y nakikiusap sa mga estudyante, ‘yung natutunan ninyo sa inyong pag-aaral dalahin n’yo po ‘yan sa inyong pagtanda. At huwag ho nating kalimutan ang ating mga magulang. Alam n’yo, kaming mga magulang, may anak rin po ako. 4th year Law student na po (siya) ngayon. Kaming mga magulang halos nagpapakamatay po kaming magtrabaho para po mapaaral ang aming mga anak. Kaya pasalamatan rin po natin ang ating mga magulang ngayong araw na ito,” Go acknowledged.
“Palakpakan po natin ang ating mga magulang. Mahalin po natin ang ating mga magulang, wala tayo sa mundong ito kung hindi dahil sa kanila. Walang magulang na hindi ginagawa ang lahat para sa kanilang mga anak para mabigyan po sila ng magandang kinabukasan,” he continued.
Recognizing the pivotal role that education plays in shaping the nation’s future, the lawmaker consistently advocates several legislative initiatives, including Senate Bill Nos. 1359, 1360, and 1864, all geared towards bolstering the quality and accessibility of education for all Filipinos.
SBN 1359, known as the No Permit, No Exam Prohibition Act, a bill co-authored and co-sponsored by Go, successfully passed its third and final reading in March. This measure aims to deter the enforcement of a “no permit, no exam” policy or any analogous regulation preventing students from participating in exams or other educational assessments due to unpaid tuition or other school fees.
Meanwhile, he co-authored and co-sponsored SBN 1360, which seeks to broaden the scope of the tertiary education subsidy (TES) by amending Republic Act No. 10931, also recognized as the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act.
“Patuloy nating isulong ang mga inisyatibo para sa kinabukasan ng mga kabataan dahil ang maayos na edukasyon ang tanging puhunan natin sa mundong ito. Ito rin ang rason kung bakit isinabatas noong panahon ni dating pangulong Rodrigo Duterte ang Republic Act No. 10931, o ang Universal Access To Quality Tertiary Education Act. Ako rin ay nag co-author at co-sponsor ng panukalang Senate Bill No. 1360 na layuning mas palawakin pa ito lalo,” Go earlier said.
Additionally, SBN 1864 or the Student Loan Payment Moratorium During Disasters and Emergencies Act, as introduced by Go, endeavors to provide relief to students who have incurred loans but are grappling with repayment difficulties due to unforeseen disasters and emergencies.
As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Sports, Go also stressed the need to invest in the country’s grassroots sports program. Earlier, Go authored and co-sponsored the measure that became Republic Act No. 11470. The law, which former president Rodrigo Duterte signed in June 2020, provides for the establishment of the National Academy of Sports at the New Clark City Sports Complex in Capas, Tarlac.
“Tandaan ninyo: Hindi palaging magiging madali ang buhay. Marami kayong mga hamon at pagsubok na haharapin, ngunit hindi ang mga ito ang magdidikta ng inyong pagkatao, kundi kung paano kayo babangon mula rito. Inihanda kayo ng inyong edukasyon para sa mga challenges na ito. Seize the opportunities that come your way, but also create opportunities for others. That is the essence of leadership,” Go encouraged.
“Sa paglalakbay ninyo sa labas ng inyong unibersidad, dalhin niyo ang mga aral at kaalaman na inyong natutunan dito. Be ambassadors of change and models of integrity. Pero higit sa lahat, be the best version of yourselves,” he concluded.
On the same day, Go visited Talugtug, Nueva Ecija where he personally assisted the town’s indigents.