Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Youth, attended as a speaker at the 6th Commencement Exercises of Davao del Sur State College (DDSC) on Friday, July 4, upon the invitation of College President Augie Fuentes.
In his address, Senator Go extended heartfelt congratulations to the graduating class, urging them to harness their knowledge not just for personal and familial advancement but also for the continued progress of Davao del Sur and the entire nation.
He also highlighted the role of parents and their sacrifices in ensuring their children’s success. Sharing his own experience as a father, Go said: “Ako po mismo, I’m a parent po. Nag-graduate rin yung anak ko 2024, siya po yung class valedictorian ng Ateneo School of Law. Abogado na siya sa Maynila. 26 years old na siya noong 2024. And then, CPA siya, College of Accountancy at Summa Cum Laude siya noong 2019 at Top 3 siya sa board ng CPA. So CPA Lawyer na po siya ngayon at siya po yung vice mayor ngayon ng Lupon, Davao Oriental. Halos kapangalan ko po. Ako si Christopher Lawrence, siya naman si Christian Lawrence.”
Go added, “Kaming mga magulang lahat ibinibigay namin sa aming mga anak. Kaya mga anak, bilang ganti sa ating mga magulang, mag-aral kayo nang mabuti. At huwag ninyong kalimutan yung pagmamahal at sakripisyo ng ating mga magulang na ginagawa ang lahat para makarating po kayo rito. Palakpakan natin ang ating mga magulang na nasa taas. Para sa inyo rin ito, aside from the graduates. Inyo ito, mga parents.”
A touching highlight of the event was when Senator Go took time to interact with five graduates under the ICET Program for the Deaf, an inclusive initiative of DDSC. Joined by their teacher, Ma’am Marites Pia, the senator shared a light moment with them, posing for selfies and handing out small gifts as a gesture of support and recognition.
The senator reaffirmed his advocacy for accessible, inclusive, and quality education, underscoring that it remains one of the strongest pillars for national development. He left the graduates with a simple yet powerful reminder: “Never forget where you came from and never stop serving others. Hindi kailangang maging sikat o may posisyon para tumulong. Sometimes the smallest act of kindness changes someone’s life.”
Go, who previously helped fight for the enactment of the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act during his time as Special Assistant to the President, continues to champion accessible education in the Senate. He has filed a bill in the 20th Congress that seeks to amend Republic Act No. 10931 to further expand the coverage of the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES), ensuring that more deserving students—especially those from low-income families—can pursue higher education without financial burden.
“Gusto ko lang i-share sa inyo na noong panahon po ni former President Duterte ipinaglaban po natin yung Free Tertiary Education Act. Batas na po ito na muntik na po itong ma-veto. Alam po yan ni Chairperson Popoy De Vera. Pero hindi po pumayag si Mayor, President Duterte noon,” Go shared.
“Pero ‘pag edukasyon po, para sa amin ni President Duterte importante ang edukasyon dahil dala-dala po natin ito hanggang sa pagtanda natin,” he added.
The passage of Republic Act No. 12077, also known as the Student Loan Payment Moratorium During Disasters and Emergencies Act, underscores Senator Go’s dedication to upholding the dignity of Filipinos in times of crisis. As a co-sponsor and co-author of the law, he has helped ensure that students with existing loans receive temporary financial relief during emergencies and calamities.
Senator Go earlier co-authored and co-sponsored RA 11510, which institutionalizes the Alternative Learning System (ALS) to improve basic education delivery to underserved and disadvantaged students; RA 11984, or the “No Permit, No Exam Prohibition Act”, which prohibits educational institutions from denying students the right to take exams due to unpaid fees; RA 12006 or the “Free College Entrance Examinations Act”, waiving entrance exam fees at private higher educational institutions for qualified top students; as well as RA 11997, or the “Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act,” which increases the teaching supply allowances for public school teachers.
The event stood not only as a celebration of academic achievement but also as a testament to the inclusive and empowering environment that institutions like DDSC strive to cultivate for every Filipino learner.
Earlier that day, Go joined the ribbon cutting and blessing of the newly constructed National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) Regional Office XII in General Santos City.