The House of Representatives is hosting its fourth LegisHear public consultation in Koronadal City, South Cotabato, allowing locals to weigh in on key bills addressing regional health services, university status, and electricity costs.
House Secretary General Atty. Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil noted that the program resumes under Speaker Faustino G. Dy III to make lawmaking more inclusive.
“LegisHear is built on a very simple principle: if a proposed law will affect people’s lives, then the people who will live with that law should have an opportunity to be heard,” Velicaria-Garafil stated. “We have already listened to communities in Isabela, Butuan, and Dumaguete. Now we are bringing that same conversation to South Cotabato because every region has its own experiences, priorities, and concerns that Congress needs to understand.”
Hosted by Senior Deputy Speaker Ferdinand “Dinand” L. Hernandez alongside local and regional leaders, the town hall at the South Cotabato Gymnasium and Cultural Center will tackle three major proposals. House Bill No. 8342 seeks to rename SOCCSKSARGEN General Hospital to SOCCSKSARGEN Regional and Medical Center while expanding its bed capacity from 75 to 1,500. House Bill No. 8627 proposes converting South Cotabato State College into South Cotabato State University to broaden local tertiary education access. Additionally, House Bill No. 10602 proposes exempting electricity system losses from value-added tax to help lower consumer power bills.
The event features educational briefings on the legislative process, panel Q&A sessions, afternoon focus group discussions, and government agency service booths.
Velicaria-Garafil emphasized that these grassroots forums align with the vision for a more accessible legislature.
“Congress cannot legislate effectively from a distance. We need to hear what people experience on the ground, what they believe will work, and what they believe needs to change,” she said. “Bawat Batas Mahalaga because Bawat Boses Makakatulong. The more voices we hear, the better chance we have of crafting laws that respond to the urgent needs of the Filipino people.”