Speaker Dy invites Filipinos to help shape laws as LegisHear reaches Mindanao

As the House of Representatives brings LegisHear to Mindanao, House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III on Friday called on Filipinos from all sectors to actively participate in the legislative process, stressing that the country’s best laws are crafted not only by lawmakers but together with the people they serve.

In a video message played at the beginning of the Butuan City leg of LegisHear, Dy said the nationwide consultation program embodies the House’s commitment to building a more open, participatory, and people-centered Congress under the banner of the “Bagong Kongreso.”

“Mga kababayan, naniniwala po tayo na ang bawat makabuluhang batas ay nagsisimula sa isang importanteng tinig—ang tinig ng sambayanang Pilipino,” the Speaker said.

“Ito po ang layunin ng LegisHear. Nais po naming ilapit ang Kongreso sa ating mga kababayan. Amin pong bibisitahin ang iba’t ibang panig ng bansa upang makinig, makipag-usap, at mapulsuhan ang tunay na kalagayan ng ating mga kababayan.”

Following its successful launch in Isabela on July 31, Caraga State University in Butuan City hosted the second iteration of LegisHear on Friday. Spearheaded by Butuan City Lone District Rep. Jose “Joboy” S. Aquino II, participants will be asked to weigh in on House Bill No. 4744, or the proposed Basic Education Voucher Assistance Act, and House Bill No. 8470, which seeks to upgrade the Butuan Medical Center into the Butuan General Hospital.

LegisHear’s Butuan leg will also feature an orientation on how a bill becomes law, discussions on House Bill No. 9305 or the proposed KALINGA Bill, as well as focus group discussions to gather public feedback on frontline government services.

The Speaker from Isabela said LegisHear is part of efforts to redefine how Congress engages with the Filipino people.

“Ito po ang aming paraan ng pagbuo ng isang Bagong Kongreso—hindi lamang bagong pamunuan o mga bagong programa, kundi isang Kongresong may bagong pamantayan ng paglilingkod: mas bukas, may integridad, may malasakit, at naniniwalang ang pinakamahusay na mga batas ay nabubuo kasama ang mamamayan,” he said.

The Speaker emphasized that meaningful reform cannot be achieved by lawmakers alone, underscoring the need for active public participation in policymaking.

“Alam po namin na hindi namin kayang makamit mag-isa ang pagbabagong ating inaasam. Kailangan namin ang inyong boses, ang inyong mga ideya, at ang inyong pakikilahok,” said the House chief.

“Kaya inaanyayahan po namin ang publiko, ang ating mga lokal na pamahalaan, mga ahensya ng gobyerno, civil society organizations, academe, at lahat ng sektor ng lipunan na makiisa sa LegisHear. Sama-sama nating hubugin ang mga batas na tunay na tumutugon sa pangangailangan ng ating bansa.”

Dy concluded his video message by reaffirming the principle at the heart of the initiative: “Sa Bagong Kongreso, naniniwala tayo na ang bawat batas ay mahalaga at ang bawat isa sa atin ay mahalagang bahagi ng pagbuo nito.”

House Secretary General Atty. Cheloy E. Velicaria-Garafil had earlier said the Butuan consultation reflects Speaker Dy’s commitment to ensuring that legislation is shaped by the voices of ordinary Filipinos before measures reach the final stages of the legislative process.

The House official said the education and healthcare measures were selected because of their direct impact on the daily lives of families in Caraga, while the consultation itself forms part of the House’s continuing effort to strengthen participatory lawmaking under the leadership of Speaker Dy and House Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos. (RM)