MINDANAO became the first major island group to host two LegisHear consultations as Senior Deputy Speaker and South Cotabato 2nd District Rep. Ferdinand “Dinand” Hernandez on Saturday welcomed the House of Representatives’ public consultation program to the province and thanked Speaker Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III for bringing the legislative process closer to the people.
Speaker Dy said LegisHear brings Congress directly to communities because residents themselves best understand what their localities need to achieve greater progress.
“Anumang sanga o anumang katayuan natin sa ating lipunan, kailangang naririnig natin ang tinig at lalong-lalo na, pinag-uusapan natin kung ano ang makakabuti sa atin pong mga lugar,” the Speaker said.
“Sapagkat kayo lamang po ang nakakaalam kung ano ang mga kailangan at kung ano po ang dapat nating gawin para lalo pong umunlad at maging progresibo ang inyo pong sinasakupang lugar,” the Speaker added.
Hernandez underscored that the consultations are a serious congressional undertaking aimed at ensuring that legislation reflects the concerns and aspirations of ordinary Filipinos.
“Ang LegisHear ay seryosong programa ng Kongreso. Ang batas ay hindi nabubuo kung hindi kami makikinig sa mga taumbayan—kung ano ang daing nila, ano ang gusto nila. Kailangang mag-umpisa sa inyo iyong batas na ipinapasa namin sa Kongreso,” Hernandez said at the South Cotabato Gymnasium and Cultural Center.
“This is a brilliant project na ang Kongreso ay bumaba na mismo sa ground para makinig kung ano pa ang gusto ninyo, ano pa ang kulang, para kami na mga mambabatas ang gagawa ng batas na base sa sentimyento ng mga tao, lalong-lalo na ang mga masa, mga farmers natin, at ang marginalized sectors,” he added.
The Koronadal City event followed the first Mindanao LegisHear held in Butuan City in August. The program was also previously conducted in Isabela for Luzon and Dumaguete City for the Visayas.
Hernandez, the main host of the South Cotabato leg, welcomed the House delegation and recognized the regional directors of national government agencies, local officials, Tulong Dunong beneficiaries, and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority scholars who joined the consultation.
South Cotabato Gov. Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. likewise thanked the House for choosing the province as the latest LegisHear venue, describing it as one of the most important programs initiated by Speaker Dy.
“Napakaswerte natin na dito gaganapin ang isa sa pinakaimportanteng programa ng ating Speaker,” Tamayo said in his welcome remarks.
“Gaganapin ngayon ang isang town hall meeting kung saan papakinggan ang boses ng ating mga kababayan,” he added.
Tamayo said the consultation embodies the principles of direct democracy and participatory governance being advanced under Speaker Dy by allowing citizens to take an active role in shaping measures that affect their communities.
During the program, Speaker Dy updated participants on two Hernandez-authored measures of particular importance to South Cotabato that have already been approved by the House on third and final reading and are now awaiting action in the Senate.
House Bill No. 8342 seeks to rename the SOCCSKSARGEN General Hospital as the SOCCSKSARGEN Regional and Medical Center and increase its authorized bed capacity from 75 to 1,500 beds. The proposed expansion is intended to improve access to hospital and specialty services for patients across South Cotabato and neighboring communities.
House Bill No. 8627, on the other hand, seeks to convert the South Cotabato State College in Surallah into the South Cotabato State University. The proposal aims to widen access to higher education and strengthen the institution’s capacity to serve students in the province.
The South Cotabato LegisHear featured an orientation on how a bill becomes a law, followed by discussions on the two local measures and proposals addressing electricity costs. Residents and sectoral representatives were given opportunities to raise questions, share their experiences, and submit recommendations directly to lawmakers and government officials.
Joining Speaker Dy and Hernandez were Reps. Javier Miguel “Javi” Benitez (Negros Occidental 3rd District), Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu (Maguindanao del Sur Lone District), Henry “Indy” Oaminal Jr. (Asenso Pinoy Party-list), Ruth Sakaluran (Sultan Kudarat 1st District), Steve Chiongbian Solon (Sarangani Lone District), Bella Vanessa Suansing (Sultan Kudarat 2nd District), Dibu Tuan (South Cotabato 3rd District), and House Secretary General Atty. Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil.
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