Bong Go gives full support to TESDA, judiciary budget; calls for continued government support for workforce development

Senator Christopher "Bong" Go expressed his full support for the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority's proposed budget for fiscal year 2021 during a hearing conducted by the Senate Committee on Finance on Thursday, September 24.

In his manifestation, the Senator, who serves as vice-chair of the committee, gave his confidence that the Philippines would bounce back and emerge stronger than ever despite the education sector being hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.

He thanked the hardworking men and women of TESDA whom he credited for ensuring that the nation's workforce steadily improved in the face of global competition. Go implored them against complacency and urged them to safeguard the gains made by providing the support needed so the nation could continuously strive to improve.

"Napakarami pong umaasa sa TESDA, noon pa man, at napakarami ring natutulungan. Tama lamang po na tulungan natin sila dito sa kanilang budget," said Go, before expressing his gratitude to Secretary Isidro Lapeña.

Earlier this year, the Senator had issued a call to TESDA to provide more technical and vocational training and skills enhancement opportunities to displaced Filipino workers after the imposition of quarantine measures led to the closure of many businesses.

According to Go, TESDA's programs must be responsive to the needs of the local economy as well as local and international developments that have an impact on labor and society.

He urged the agency to actively participate in the Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa (BP2) program of the government by providing technical and vocational education and training programs to the beneficiaries who will be relocating back to their provinces.

"Ang layunin po ng BP2 program ay mag-enganyo at matulungan ang mga Pilipinong gusto nang magsimula ng panibagong buhay sa kanilang mga probinsya. Wala pong pilitan ito. Kung sino po ang may gusto, tutulungan sila ng gobyerno na lumipat para mabigyan sila ng bagong pag-asa ng mas magandang buhay pagkatapos ng krisis," explained Go previously.

"As PRRD said, starting fresh in the provinces would give Filipinos hope for a better future after COVID-19 crisis. Sa pagbabalik sa probinsya, mabibigyan sila ng bagong pag-asa," he continued.

Go also recently urged TESDA to use its available resources to provide support and training to small local producers of protective masks that pass medical standards. He made the appeal after urging government to enforce a stronger mask-wearing policy as well as to promote and patronize local production of protective masks.

"Tulungan rin nating makaahon ang mga lokal na industriya, tulad ng mga mananahi at mga nagbebenta ng raw materials na magagamit sa paggawa ng masks. Kung mapapalakas natin ang local production ng masks, mabibigyan natin ng livelihood ang mga tao, lalo na yung mga nawalan ng trabaho, at mas mapoprotektahan natin ang ating mga kababayan mula sa sakit," said Go.

Judiciary Budget

Meanwhile, Go also expressed his support to the judicial branch of the government as he manifested his support to its proposed 2021 budget.

In a public hearing conducted by the Senate Committee on Finance on Thursday, September 24, Go said, "I express my support for the Supreme Court and the entire Judiciary, one of the three co-equal branches of the government."

"As our society cannot flourish without functioning courts, it is very important that the Judiciary is sufficiently funded so as to enable it to render its crucial mandate," he added.

The Senator, meanwhile, asked the Judiciary to continue to implement measures and programs which will not only improve the performance of the courts but also, and equally importantly, rid itself of the bad eggs which tarnish its reputation.

"After all, a healthy, independent, impartial, and corruption-free Judiciary is essential to a country which follows the rule of law, such as ours," he noted.