SENATOR Christopher ‘Bong’  Go on Monday gave assurances that he will continue what President Rodrigo Duterte started to ensure that more disadvantaged students will have better access to quality education as he hopes to have at least one college graduate in every Filipino family.

Go vowed to develop more programs that will provide struggling families with better access to quality education nationwide.

“Sa administrasyon ni Pangulong Duterte, sinikap nating mabigyan ng libreng edukasyon ang lahat. Pero hindi tayo titigil lang dito, sisiguraduhin din nating makaka-graduate ang mga ito,” he  said.

“Bukod sa matrikula, may mga ibang gastusin din ang pinoproblema ng mga magulang. Dapat mabigyan ito ng sapat na suporta lalo na’t nasa krisis ang bansa at maraming hirap sa blended learning. Huwag nating hayaang hindi makapagtapos ang mga bata dahil sa hirap sa buhay,” he added.

As part of his advocacy, Go reaffirmed his support for Republic Act 10931, also known as the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act.

“Isa ito sa mga legacies ng Duterte Administration na kailangan nating ipagpatuloy. An estimated 1.6 million poor Filipino students are now in school without paying for their tuition and miscellaneous fees because of the government’s Free Higher Education program,” he said.

The Duterte Administration has assisted more than a million underprivileged students in 112 state universities and colleges nationwide.

In addition, more than 500,000 poor students have been enrolled in private institutions and granted educational assistance through the Tertiary Education Subsidy.

“Ang Free Higher Education ng Duterte administration ay tunay na libre. Walang hinihingi na grade requirement, walang number of units na kailangang ipasa kada semester. Ang hinihingi lang po namin ay seryosohin ninyo ang inyong pag-aaral para agad kayo makatapos at matulungan ang inyong pamilya at bayan,” Go said.

As schools are slowly reopening, the senator urged concerned authorities to ensure necessary health protocols are in place to protect the lives of students and educators.

“Mahalaga ang edukasyon pero mas mahalaga ang buhay ng mga Pilipino. Patuloy po nating binabalanse ang lahat upang maiahon ang ating mga kababayan mula sa hirap na dulot ng pandemya,” Go added.

The senator also vowed to support sectors who are underserved, such as indigenous students, students from less privileged backgrounds, and students with physical and learning disabilities.

“Education is a constitutionally enshrined right which the State must protect and promote. Thus, ensuring education for all should be a top priority. For this to be achieved, it is vital that opportunities to learn and receive quality education are accessible to all those who so desire,” Go said.