SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go reiterated the importance of education as a key to empowering the youth and building a better nation.

“Ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan at edukasyon ang susi tungo sa mas magandang kinabukasan,” Go said during the Commission on Higher Education’s Tulong Dunong Program (CHED–TDP) Orientation.

CHED–TDP is an educational support initiative backed by Go that has helped thousands of students from low-income families pursue their college education through scholarships.

A total of 152 scholars attended the event at the Tarlac State University Gymnasium, where they received snacks, shirts, pens, balls, and fans.

“Ako ang inyong Senator Kuya Bong Go, patuloy na magseserbisyo sa inyong lahat dahil bisyo ko na ang magserbisyo, at ako po ay naniniwala na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo po ‘yan sa Diyos,” Go said.

Go continues to push for legislative measures that uphold and expand access to education for Filipinos.

He co-authored and co-sponsored Republic Act (RA) 11510, which institutionalizes the Alternative Learning System to improve basic education for marginalized learners; RA 11984, or the No Permit, No Exam Prohibition Act, which protects students from being barred from exams due to unpaid fees; and RA 12006, or the Free College Entrance Examinations Act, which removes exam fees for qualified senior high school students applying to private higher education institutions.

In addition, he co-authored and co-sponsored RA 12077, or the Student Loan Payment Moratorium During Disasters and Emergencies Act, which grants temporary financial relief to students with loans during times of calamity.

“Huwag kayong titigil sa inyong pangarap dahil ito ay simula pa lang ng mas magandang bukas para sa inyo,” Go remarked.