SENATOR Christopher ‘Bong’ Go reiterated his strong commitment to strengthening the country’s education system as he stressed that investing in education is crucial to securing a better future for every Filipino.

“Naniniwala po ako na ang edukasyon ay puhunan ng mga kabataan, ng mga estudyante. Dala dala nila yan hanggang sa pagtanda,” Go, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Youth, emphasized.

“Hindi po ayuda. Yung ayuda po one-time lang yon, bukas baka wala na yon. Pero ito pong edukasyon dala dala nila yan,” he added.

While widely known for his health reforms crusade, Go revealed that one of his legislative priorities in his next term will be to push for more education programs that are accessible and inclusive.

Go pointed to the successful implementation of the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act or Republic Act No. 10931, which was signed into law under the administration of then-President Rodrigo Duterte.

He also shared that the free tertiary education law almost got vetoed at the time when he was still Special Assistant to the President, but through the collective support of various advocates including himself who helped defend the measure, it eventually became a law. Now, as legislator, Go aims to expand its reach further.

“During the term of former President Rodrigo Duterte, diyan po nag-umpisa yung Free Tertiary Education Act na muntik na pong na-veto. Ayaw ng mga finance manager ng mga gastos. Pero ako mismo, isinulong natin yan,” Go highlighted.

“Sabi ko, huwag hindi dapat ma-veto yan dahil kailangan ng mga kababayan natin. Iyan po ang plano ko pagdating ng panahon na i-expand po. The more we should invest sa ating education dahil para sa akin ang edukasyon po ang puhunan natin sa mundong ito at dala-dala natin yan hanggang sa pagtandam,” he further emphasized.

Building on this milestone, he is pushing for the passage of Senate Bill No. 1360 as one of its authors and co-sponsors, which seeks to expand the coverage of the Tertiary Education Subsidy.

In addition to making tertiary education more accessible, Go, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, is also advocating for the strengthening of mental health services within state universities and colleges (SUCs).

He is pushing for the establishment of dedicated Mental Health Offices in SUCs, which will be responsible for awareness campaigns, training programs, and hiring of additional mental health professionals to support students’ psychological well-being better.