Go to student leaders: Participate in nation building

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Bong Go has urged student leaders to participate in nation building while reassuring them of his commitment to ensure their welfare and access to quality education amid the pandemic.

While attending the virtual induction of the Supreme Student Government, Campus Club and Organization officers at the Surigao del Sur State University in Tandag City last Friday, Go told students not to lose hope.

He admitted there are difficulties in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic, which influenced his decision to back President Duterte’s directive to ban face-to-face classes for as long as no vaccine against the virus is available.

Once there is a safe and effective vaccine, Go pledged that the poor and vulnerable, many of whom do not have the privilege of working and isolating at home, would be prioritized so they may return to their normal lives.

The senator encouraged the students, as future leaders, to study well and reminded them of their parents’ many sacrifices so they may have a future.

He said President Duterte is committed to youth development, which was made evident when he signed Republic Act 1091 or the Universal Access to Quality Education Law.

According to him, their support for enacting the law was inspired by a tertiary scholarship program in Davao City for under-privileged students.

Since its passage, the Duterte Administration has provided free education to 1.4 million students in over 200 state and local universities and colleges. Additionally, more than 550,000 students have benefitted from the Tertiary Education Subsidy while two million students in private and public universities were also given assistance.