SEN. Bong Go addressed the Philippine Alliance of Retired Educators (PARE) 3rd National Convention on Wednesday, October 9, expressing his gratitude and recognition for the nation’s teachers.
The event was in conjunction with World Teachers’ Month, emphasizing the importance of celebrating educators’ contributions.
“We salute you all! You are the true heroes of our country — the ones who guide our youth to a better future,” Go said in Filipino as he paid tribute to the dedication and hard work of teachers, adding, “Your role in shaping the youth is priceless.”
Held at the GSIS Gymnasium in Pasay City in partnership with the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), the convention celebrated resilience, productivity and service, aligning perfectly with the theme “PARE-GSIS: Celebrating Resilience, Productivity, and Service.”
In his speech, Go reminded the audience of significant legislative accomplishments to champion access to education, including the passage of Republic Act (RA) 10931, or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act.
Go explained how this law has expanded access to higher education and alleviated financial burdens on families.
“During the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte, Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education was enacted. This is the free tuition in state colleges and universities,” Go said.
Building on this success, Go filed Senate Bill (SB) 1360, which aims to expand the reach of the tertiary education subsidy and provide more options for students to pursue courses in colleges and institutions that best suit their needs.
“Access to quality education must continue to be strengthened. I will focus even more on expanding the scope of the Tertiary Education Subsidy so that more people can benefit,” he said.
“If enacted, students will be given more choices to pursue the course they want in the most appropriate college or institution,” Go added.
Alongside his work on expanding access to higher education, Go expressed concern over the mental health challenges faced by students and educators, especially in commemoration of Mental Health Awareness Month.
“Let’s value mental health, especially among young people, which is why we are proposing SB 2598, which aims to mandate public higher education institutions to establish mental health offices in their campuses. We are also co-authors and co-sponsors of SB 2200, or the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Bill,” he said.
Go also highlighted his role as the co-author and co-sponsor of RA 11984, also known as the No Permit, No Exam Prohibition Act.
The law protects students from educational policies that prevent them from taking exams due to unpaid tuition or other financial obligations.
Recognizing the economic challenges brought about by disasters and emergencies, Go also discussed SBN 1864, a bill he co-authored that seeks to provide relief to students who have taken out loans but cannot repay them due to disasters or emergencies.
He also highlighted his efforts to support teachers and discussed his role as co-author of RA 11997, the Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Law.
In addition to providing financial assistance for teaching supplies, Go also pushed for salary increases for government employees, including educators.
He mentioned his push as an author and co-sponsor in RA 11466, or the Salary Standardization Law 5, which raised salaries for civilian government employees.
Go is now advocating for another round of increases through the proposed Salary Standardization Law 6.
He also thanked the retired educators at the convention, acknowledging their lifetime of service in shaping countless Filipino students.
He also acknowledged several key officials in his address, including Education Secretary Juan Edgardo Angara; thanked GSIS president, General Manager Jose Arnulfo Veloso; and the GSIS Board of Trustees, including Dr. Beatriz Turno.
Go recognized the leaders from PARE, including national president Dr. Nieves Nerisa David, secretary-general Dr. Teresita Arriola, vice president general Dr. Teresita Domalanta, PARE adviser Atty. Tonisito Umali, and founding chairman Dr. Abigail Ignacio, among others.
In gratitude and solidarity, Go and his Malasakit team distributed various tokens to the convention attendees.
He also gave select recipients mobile phones, shoes, and other forms of assistance.
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