500 sector reps join Iloilo LEGISHEAR rollout

By Joseph Bernard A. Marzan

Iloilo province’s 1st District will be the first in the Visayas to host LEGISHEAR, the House of Representatives’ latest public-facing initiative aimed at bringing the legislative body closer to communities.

The initiative, which will be rolled out in Miagao from July 10 to 12, aims to consult the public on relevant pending bills in the 20th Congress and gather input on the kinds of laws people want passed.

The first day, July 10, will feature focus group discussions with around 500 representatives from various sectors in the district and around 20 national government agencies.

The national government agencies will discuss laws relevant to their services and seek input from sectoral participants on their effectiveness and impact.

Some agencies will also provide mobile frontline services, including passport applications through the Department of Foreign Affairs, applications for business closure with the Bureau of Internal Revenue, and other services from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Migrant Workers, and other agencies.

Public consultations on pending legislation and the gathering of proposals will be held on the second and third days, July 11 and 12.

Deputy Speaker and Iloilo 1st District Rep. Janette Loreto-Garin said Tuesday, June 23, that the initiative is a good opportunity for the district’s residents to be heard.

“We are very happy that the national government is bringing national officials to Miagao, Iloilo, for the public to feel how it is to be heard by our leaders, and for the leaders to be guided accordingly on the people’s sentiments,” Garin said in an interview.

Garin said she expects House Bill No. 8389, or the proposed Anti-Political Dynasty Act, which the House passed on third reading June 3, and Republic Act No. 11223, or the Universal Health Care Act, to be tackled during the three-day gathering, among other measures.

House Bill No. 8389 seeks to prohibit political dynasties, a long-debated reform issue tied to political representation and accountability.

Republic Act No. 11223, or the Universal Health Care Act, aims to ensure that all Filipinos have access to quality and affordable health care services.

Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. on Wednesday, June 24, expressed the provincial government’s willingness to help in the rollout.

The Miagao event will be the second leg of the nationwide initiative, which will kick off July 3 in Echague, Isabela, in the province’s 6th District, represented by House Speaker Faustino Dy III.

The initiative was inspired by public consultations conducted by Congress on pending anti-political dynasty bills over the past year.

The next leg will be held in Butuan City and is expected to be rolled out in other areas across the country in the next few months.