A fourth-year student from Quezon City, Reena Rose Reyes, is now closer to finishing her degree in Tourism Management at the World Citi Colleges after receiving financial assistance through a government educational support and scholarship program.
Reyes, who studies in a private higher education institution, said the scholarship helped ease the burden of tuition costs, allowing her to focus on her studies and prepare for graduation.
“Ang dream ko po ay maging flight attendant at nais ko pong makatulong po sa pamilya ko at sa mga kapatid ko pong patuloy pa po sa pag-aaral,” she said. “Tulad po ‘yung kapatid ko po ay nasa college po at ‘yung isa ko po pong kapatid ay nasa elementary pa po.”
She added that after graduating, she hopes to support her younger siblings’ education. “Since graduating na po ako next month, balak ko po sanang makatulong po sa education nila at ako na rin po ‘yung magsusuporta po sa kanilang tuition.”
The scholarship she refers to is from the Tulong Dunong Program (TDP) of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), a financial aid initiative designed to assist deserving Filipino students in achieving their educational goals.
Meant to support inclusive and quality education, the program has helped countless students like Reyes continue their studies despite economic hardships.
“Ginamit ko po ‘yung scholarship na ‘yon sa aking tuition. At malaking tulong na rin po ‘yon sa amin kasi po, private school,” she added, her gratitude palpable.
Her story mirrors the impact of such programs across the country — a testament to how education policies, when grounded in compassion, can change lives. It also highlights the ongoing efforts of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Youth, who has been a strong supporter of such programs.
“Sen. Kuya Bong Go, ipagpatuloy ang malasakit,” Reyes said. “Nagpapasalamat po kami kasi nakatulong po siya sa amin.”
Go has pledged to support policies that not only strengthen the education sector but also prioritize the health and well-being of students.
The recent enactment of Republic Act No. 12077, or the Student Loan Payment Moratorium During Disasters and Emergencies Act, reflects Go’s commitment to protecting Filipinos’ dignity during crises. The law, which he co-sponsored and is one of the authors of, provides temporary financial relief for students with outstanding loans during calamities.
Go earlier co-authored and co-sponsored RA 11510, which institutionalizes the Alternative Learning System 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 education 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.
He also hailed the signing of RA 12080, or the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act, which aims to address the alarming mental health crisis among Filipino students. Go, who co-authored and co-sponsored the legislation, emphasized the importance of institutionalizing mental health programs in schools to help alleviate the growing mental health challenges among students.
Go has also refiled in the 20th Congress several key education-related measures. These include proposals he previously authored and co-sponsored during the 19th Congress.
Among them is the proposed State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) Mental Health Services Act, earlier filed as Senate Bill No. 2598, which aims to strengthen mental health services in SUCs nationwide by establishing Mental Health Offices in every campus to provide comprehensive support and intervention for students, faculty, and staff.
Another is a measure earlier filed as SBN 1360, which seeks to expand the coverage of the tertiary education subsidy by amending RA 10931, or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, enacted during the term of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
“With the help of my fellow legislators, we will also continue to help our future generations, the youth whose voices we heard last elections, and who hold the promise of a brighter future for our country,” said Go in his proclamation speech.