‘Edukasyon ang puhunan natin sa mundong ito’ — Bong Go assists indigent students of Biñan City, Laguna

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go visited Biñan City, Laguna on Thursday, July 27, to extend much-needed assistance to indigent students. In his speech, Go emphasized the importance of education as a key driver for individual and societal progress.

The senator said he has been working tirelessly to address the challenges faced by young Filipinos in accessing quality education. He firmly believes that investing in the education of the youth is investing in the future of the nation.

“Maraming salamat po sa mga kababayan ko dito sa Biñan (City), sa inyong mainit na pagtanggap at sa mga estudyante naman, isa lang po ang aking paalala parati sa kanila, mag-aral po silang mabuti. Edukasyon po ang puhunan natin sa mundong ito at iyan po’y dala-dala mo hanggang sa pagtanda natin,” Go emphasized.

“Masaya po ang ating mga magulang kapag nakapagtapos ng pag-aaral ang kanilang mga anak, kaya mahalin po natin ang ating mga magulang at mag-aral po kayo ng mabuti. Alam n’yo wala po tayo dito sa mundong ito kung wala po ang ating mga magulang,” he added.

Go encouraged the youth to persevere and pursue their dreams despite the obstacles they may encounter. He emphasized that education is key to unlocking their potential and achieving a better future.

As a lawmaker, Go has been making significant strides to improve the country’s educational landscape. Go has introduced Senate Bill No. 1708, which aims to mandate private higher educational institutions to waive college entrance examination fees for underprivileged graduating high school students and high school graduates who belong to the top ten of their class if enacted into law.

Senator Go also filed SBN 1190, which proposes to expand the application of the Special Education Fund (SEF) to cover the other needs of the public education system if enacted. By amending Republic Act No. 7160 or the “Local Government Code,” the bill seeks to utilize the additional one percent SEF tax for purposes such as constructing and repairing libraries, paying salaries and benefits of teaching and non-teaching personnel, and implementing new education policies and learning techniques.

The distribution activity was held at Biñan Elementary School where 1,400 students were given grocery packs, vitamins, masks, and meals. There were also select recipients of bicycles, mobile phones, computer tablets, shoes, shirts, watches, and balls for basketball and volleyball.

“Ako naman, nandirito ako para makatulong man lang sa inyo at makapag-iwan ng kaunting ngiti sa panahon ng inyong pagdadalamhati,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) also extended educational assistance to qualified beneficiaries.

The event was in partnership with Congresswoman Marlyn “Len-Len” Alonte and was also attended by Vice Governor Karen Agapay, Mayor Arman Dimaguila Jr, and Vice Mayor Gel Alonte, among others.

“Sana ay huwag natin kalimutan na siya ay kasama natin, kadamay natin kapag tayo ay bagsak. Hindi pa siya senador (tumutulong) na siya, nung naging senador siya higit pa siyang tumutulong sa atin. Kaya sana huwag natin (siya) kalimutan at palagi nating isipin na tayo ay marunong lumingon at marunong magbigay ng utang na loob,” said Congresswoman Alonte in a short speech.

“Alam ko marami sa inyo ang scholars na at nabigyan ng suporta ng ating pamahalaan pero pinili pa rin ni Senator Bong Go na tulungan kayo dahil nakita niya na kayo ay nagsisikap… Sir (Bong Go), maraming salamat ho. Siguro ay normal na ito para sa inyo dahil sa dami ng natutulungan niyo. Pero dito po sa Biñan, hindi namin makakalimutan ito. Napakahalaga at laking tulong nitong ibinigay niyo sa aming kabataan,” she continued.

Meanwhile, as chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, Go shared his priority initiatives, which include establishing more Super Health Centers (SHCs) nationwide and monitoring the continuing operations of Malasakit Centers.

A brainchild of Go, these Malasakit Centers act as one-stop shops that bring together various government agencies, such as the Department of Health (DOH), the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, and the DSWD, to offer medical assistance programs to the less fortunate. The Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, principally authored and sponsored by Go, institutionalized the program and has benefitted over seven million Filipinos in the past five years, as reported by the DOH.

Go advised Laguna residents to utilize the Malasakit Centers at Laguna Medical Center in Santa Cruz and San Pablo City General Hospital in San Pablo City.

Apart from the Malasakit Centers, Go is advocating for the construction of SHCs across the country, particularly in rural areas. These centers offer a wide range of services, including database management, out-patient, birthing, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: x-ray and ultrasound), pharmacy and ambulatory surgical unit. Other available services are eye, ear, nose, and throat (EENT) service, oncology centers, physical therapy and rehabilitation center and telemedicine, where remote diagnosis and treatment of patients will be done.

With the support of DOH and fellow lawmakers, Go helped secure sufficient funds in the 2022 and 2023 national budgets for the construction of more than 600 SHCs across the country, including eleven in Laguna.

Necessary funds have been allocated last year for the DOH to construct SHCs in the cities of Biñan, Cabuyao, Calamba, San Pedro, and Sta. Rosa; and in the towns of Alaminos and Mabitac. This year, more centers were funded in San Pablo City, and in the towns of Sta. Maria, Los Baños, and Calauan.

As vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance and adopted son of CALABARZON, Go supported the improvement of a drainage system in Barangay Canlalay, the construction of several river protection structures, and the installation of streetlights in several barangays.

On the same day, Go also visited Cavite City where he personally provided additional support to recovering fire victims who were given emergency housing assistance by the National Housing Authority.

#

July 28, 2023

8–12 minutes

‘Edukasyon ang puhunan natin sa mundong ito’ — Bong Go assists indigent students of Biñan City, Laguna

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go visited Biñan City, Laguna on Thursday, July 27, to extend much-needed assistance to indigent students. In his speech, Go emphasized the importance of education as a key driver for individual and societal progress.

The senator said he has been working tirelessly to address the challenges faced by young Filipinos in accessing quality education. He firmly believes that investing in the education of the youth is investing in the future of the nation.

“Maraming salamat po sa mga kababayan ko dito sa Biñan (City), sa inyong mainit na pagtanggap at sa mga estudyante naman, isa lang po ang aking paalala parati sa kanila, mag-aral po silang mabuti. Edukasyon po ang puhunan natin sa mundong ito at iyan po’y dala-dala mo hanggang sa pagtanda natin,” Go emphasized.

“Masaya po ang ating mga magulang kapag nakapagtapos ng pag-aaral ang kanilang mga anak, kaya mahalin po natin ang ating mga magulang at mag-aral po kayo ng mabuti. Alam n’yo wala po tayo dito sa mundong ito kung wala po ang ating mga magulang,” he added.

Go encouraged the youth to persevere and pursue their dreams despite the obstacles they may encounter. He emphasized that education is key to unlocking their potential and achieving a better future.

As a lawmaker, Go has been making significant strides to improve the country’s educational landscape. Go has introduced Senate Bill No. 1708, which aims to mandate private higher educational institutions to waive college entrance examination fees for underprivileged graduating high school students and high school graduates who belong to the top ten of their class if enacted into law.

Senator Go also filed SBN 1190, which proposes to expand the application of the Special Education Fund (SEF) to cover the other needs of the public education system if enacted. By amending Republic Act No. 7160 or the “Local Government Code,” the bill seeks to utilize the additional one percent SEF tax for purposes such as constructing and repairing libraries, paying salaries and benefits of teaching and non-teaching personnel, and implementing new education policies and learning techniques.

The distribution activity was held at Biñan Elementary School where 1,400 students were given grocery packs, vitamins, masks, and meals. There were also select recipients of bicycles, mobile phones, computer tablets, shoes, shirts, watches, and balls for basketball and volleyball.

“Ako naman, nandirito ako para makatulong man lang sa inyo at makapag-iwan ng kaunting ngiti sa panahon ng inyong pagdadalamhati,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) also extended educational assistance to qualified beneficiaries.

The event was in partnership with Congresswoman Marlyn “Len-Len” Alonte and was also attended by Vice Governor Karen Agapay, Mayor Arman Dimaguila Jr, and Vice Mayor Gel Alonte, among others.

“Sana ay huwag natin kalimutan na siya ay kasama natin, kadamay natin kapag tayo ay bagsak. Hindi pa siya senador (tumutulong) na siya, nung naging senador siya higit pa siyang tumutulong sa atin. Kaya sana huwag natin (siya) kalimutan at palagi nating isipin na tayo ay marunong lumingon at marunong magbigay ng utang na loob,” said Congresswoman Alonte in a short speech.

“Alam ko marami sa inyo ang scholars na at nabigyan ng suporta ng ating pamahalaan pero pinili pa rin ni Senator Bong Go na tulungan kayo dahil nakita niya na kayo ay nagsisikap… Sir (Bong Go), maraming salamat ho. Siguro ay normal na ito para sa inyo dahil sa dami ng natutulungan niyo. Pero dito po sa Biñan, hindi namin makakalimutan ito. Napakahalaga at laking tulong nitong ibinigay niyo sa aming kabataan,” she continued.

Meanwhile, as chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, Go shared his priority initiatives, which include establishing more Super Health Centers (SHCs) nationwide and monitoring the continuing operations of Malasakit Centers.

A brainchild of Go, these Malasakit Centers act as one-stop shops that bring together various government agencies, such as the Department of Health (DOH), the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, and the DSWD, to offer medical assistance programs to the less fortunate. The Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, principally authored and sponsored by Go, institutionalized the program and has benefitted over seven million Filipinos in the past five years, as reported by the DOH.

Go advised Laguna residents to utilize the Malasakit Centers at Laguna Medical Center in Santa Cruz and San Pablo City General Hospital in San Pablo City.

Apart from the Malasakit Centers, Go is advocating for the construction of SHCs across the country, particularly in rural areas. These centers offer a wide range of services, including database management, out-patient, birthing, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: x-ray and ultrasound), pharmacy and ambulatory surgical unit. Other available services are eye, ear, nose, and throat (EENT) service, oncology centers, physical therapy and rehabilitation center and telemedicine, where remote diagnosis and treatment of patients will be done.

With the support of DOH and fellow lawmakers, Go helped secure sufficient funds in the 2022 and 2023 national budgets for the construction of more than 600 SHCs across the country, including eleven in Laguna.

Necessary funds have been allocated last year for the DOH to construct SHCs in the cities of Biñan, Cabuyao, Calamba, San Pedro, and Sta. Rosa; and in the towns of Alaminos and Mabitac. This year, more centers were funded in San Pablo City, and in the towns of Sta. Maria, Los Baños, and Calauan.

As vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance and adopted son of CALABARZON, Go supported the improvement of a drainage system in Barangay Canlalay, the construction of several river protection structures, and the installation of streetlights in several barangays.

On the same day, Go also visited Cavite City where he personally provided additional support to recovering fire victims who were given emergency housing assistance by the National Housing Authority.