SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Youth, commended the efforts of the local government of Candaba, led by Mayor Rene Malanque, in successfully distributing benefits to 1,000 students under the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) on Friday, December 13, at Mayor Action Center Covered Court.

The SPES program aims to provide employment opportunities to students, out-of-school youth (OSY), and dependents of displaced or would-be displaced workers. Through temporary employment, the program helps beneficiaries earn income during summer vacation or semestral breaks, enabling them to support their education while easing the financial burden on their families.

This program reflects the government’s commitment to empowering youth from underprivileged backgrounds by providing them with the means to continue and complete their studies.

In addition to the program, the senator also gave away snacks to all and shirts, basketballs, and volleyballs to select recipients.

Senator Go, known for his steadfast advocacy for the welfare of Filipino youth, lauded the Candaba local government for its active role in implementing the program. “I commend Mayor Rene Malanque and his team for ensuring that the youth in Candaba receive the opportunities they deserve. Education is a fundamental right, and programs like SPES are crucial in helping disadvantaged students achieve their dreams and secure a brighter future,” the senator said.

He also highlighted the importance of expanding government programs that provide meaningful support to students. “As Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Youth, I will continue to push for initiatives that uplift our young Filipinos and teach the value of hard work and perseverance,” Senator Go added.

Among the laws he co-sponsored and co-authored are Republic Act No. 11510, which institutionalizes the Alternative Learning System to reach underserved communities; RA 11984, or the “No Permit, No Exam Prohibition Act,” ensuring students are not hindered from taking exams due to unpaid fees; RA 12006, which waives college entrance exam fees for qualified students in private institutions; and RA 11997, also known as the “Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act,” increasing the teaching supply allowance for public school educators.

The recent enactment of RA 12077, or the Student Loan Payment Moratorium During Disasters and Emergencies Act also reflects Go’s commitment to protecting Filipinos’ dignity during crises. The law, which he co-sponsored and co-authored, provides temporary financial relief for students with outstanding loans during calamities.

Senator Go also co-authored Senate Bill No. 1360, which seeks to expand the tertiary education subsidy under the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, enacted during former President Rodrigo Duterte’s term.

Recently, he hailed the signing of Republic Act No. 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.

In parallel efforts, Go also authored and co-sponsored Senate Bill No. 2598, or the proposed State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) Mental Health Services Act to strengthen mental health services in SUCs across the country. If enacted into law, the measure aims to establish Mental Health Offices in every SUC campus to provide comprehensive support and intervention for students, faculty, and staff.