Reelected Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Monday led the Congressional Consultative Forum on Regional Priorities for Regions X, XI, and CARAGA, hosted at the Almont Inland Resort in Butuan City, where lawmakers engaged in a wide-ranging dialogue on local development needs, national policy alignment, and shared legislative goals under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s Bagong Pilipinas vision.
The forum brought together House Members from key political parties—Lakas-CMD, Nacionalista Party (NP), National Unity Party (NUP), Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), Liberal Party (LP) and an Independent—demonstrating broad, cross-party unity in support of inclusive and responsive governance.
“This forum is more than a gathering of colleagues—it is a reflection of our commitment to listening, learning, and legislating for the people. We are united not just by party lines, but by our shared duty to uplift every Filipino,” said Romualdez, who also serves as President of Lakas-CMD.
The forum, which Romualdez described as a “listening session,” served as a platform for lawmakers to raise urgent concerns, propose policy interventions, and ensure their advocacies are integrated into the national agenda.
“We are here to listen. We are here to understand your realities, your aspirations, and your solutions. The 20th Congress is committed to being a partner in turning regional visions into national progress,” Romualdez emphasized in his keynote address.
Romualdez was joined by former Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr. and Deputy Speaker David “Jayjay” Suarez, who joined colleagues in reaffirming the House leadership’s support for district-level programs that uplift communities and address pressing social and economic challenges.
Romualdez also assured participants that the House of Representatives will institutionalize more regional consultations in the months ahead, reinforcing a legislative culture anchored in listening, responsiveness, and action.
Central to the discussions was the “House-to-House Agenda,” a seven-point framework that guides the legislative priorities of the 20th Congress and complements the President’s socio-economic roadmap. These development pillars are:
1. Food Security – Supporting agricultural modernization and regional food systems to ensure accessible and affordable food.
2. Clean Water Access – Expanding infrastructure for safe and reliable water, especially in underserved areas.
3. Affordable and Stable Electricity – Promoting energy reforms and rural electrification to boost local productivity and quality of life.
4. Reliable Transportation – Strengthening connectivity through roads, ports, and transport systems that link communities to opportunities.
5. Sustainable Livelihood – Empowering MSMEs, cooperatives, and local industries to create dignified, long-term employment.
6. Accessible Healthcare – Enhancing public health services, including rural hospitals and barangay health stations.
7. Quality Education – Improving access through investment in schools, teacher support, and digital learning platforms.
“Gobyernong may malasakit. Kongresong may puso. Sa pagkakaisa natin, walang maiiwan sa Bagong Pilipinas,” Romualdez told participants.
Romualdez assured the lawmakers that the House leadership stands ready to assist them in advancing their respective advocacies and ensuring that their constituents’ needs are reflected in legislative and budgetary decisions.
In attendance were:
• Rep. Jose “Joboy” Aquino II (Butuan City, Lakas-CMD)
• Rep. Dale Corvera (Agusan del Norte, Lakas-CMD)
• Reps. Alfelito Bascug and Adolph Edward Plaza (Agusan del Sur, NUP)
• Rep. Francisco Matugas (Surigao del Norte, Lakas-CMD)
• Reps. Romeo Momo and Alexander Ty Pimentel (Surigao del Sur, NP and PFP)
• Rep. Kaka Bag-ao (Dinagat Islands, LP)
• Rep. Lordan Suan (Cagayan de Oro City, Lakas-CMD)
• Rep. Yevgeny Vicente “Bambi” Emano (Misamis Oriental, NP)
• Rep. Arlyn Ayon (SWERTE Party-list)
• Rep. Maria Carmen Zamora, Rep. Leonel “Jhong” Ceniza, and Rep. Nelson Dayanghirang Jr. (Davao de Oro and Davao Oriental)
• Rep. De Carlo “Oyo” Uy (Davao del Norte, Lakas-CMD)
• Rep. John Tracy Cagas (Davao del Sur, NP)
Also present was Governor Johnny Pimentel of Surigao del Sur, who highlighted the value of stronger partnerships between local government units and national lawmakers in accelerating regional growth.
The Congressional Consultative Forum on Regional Priorities in Butuan is part of a series of engagements spearheaded by the House of Representatives to bring national policymaking closer to the regions. It reflects the House’s broader strategy to institutionalize grassroots-driven legislation and strengthen the alignment of local priorities with the national development agenda.
