Benitez urges Negrenses to speak up through LegisHear

VICTORIAS CITY, Negros Occidental — Third District Rep. Javier Miguel Benitez urged Negrenses, particularly residents of his legislative district, to raise their concerns directly with lawmakers through the House of Representatives’ LegisHear public consultation program.

Benitez hosted the fifth leg of “LegisHear: Bawat Batas Mahalaga” at the Victorias City Coliseum on Friday, attended by House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III and a 28-member House delegation.

The Victorias leg brought the House’s public consultation program to Negros Occidental, giving residents and stakeholders an opportunity to speak directly with lawmakers about proposed measures affecting their communities.

Benitez, who previously served as mayor of Victorias City and is now an assistant majority leader in the House, recalled how difficult it can be for ordinary citizens, particularly farmers and workers outside Metro Manila, to participate directly in congressional proceedings.

“For most of our people, being heard by Congress has meant a plane ticket and a day of lost wages,” he said.

“Today, nobody in this coliseum needs a plane ticket,” he added, noting that LegisHear was initiated by Dy and Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos to bring congressional consultations closer to communities.

Benitez urged his fellow lawmakers to use the consultation not only to discuss legislation but also to personally engage residents and listen to their concerns.

He particularly encouraged young people, including Sangguniang Kabataan officials and students, to take advantage of the opportunity to participate.

He also reminded the House delegation that concerns raised gently by Negrosanons should not be mistaken for insignificant problems.

Among the measures discussed during the consultation was Benitez’s proposed TUBO Act, which seeks to strengthen the sugar industry.

The measure is House Bill No. 9088, or the proposed Tunay na Ugnayan, Buhay, at Oportunidad sa Asukal Act, which seeks stronger safeguards against import shocks, additional industry support and greater transparency in government decisions affecting sugar.

Benitez told participants he would explain how their comments and recommendations could feed into the legislative process.

Benitez said the goal is for that listening to eventually produce laws grounded in the actual experiences and needs of Filipinos, the “quiet victory” he hopes LegisHear can achieve.

In his message, Dy highlighted the importance of farmers and discussed measures to safeguard and protect their welfare.

“Hindi lamang po dito sa Negros, kundi sa buong bansang Pilipinas, kailangan patas at makabuluhan ang pagtulong po natin sa bawat magsasaka.”

Dy also acknowledged the importance of access to education and addressing recent school-related violence.

“Kailangan po natin magtulungan. Nagsusulong na po kami ng batas para sa mga gun owners sa paghihigpit na lalo po nilang tingnan na nasa mga safe na lugar at hindi po pwedeng abutin ng ating mga kabataan. Yan ang isang napakahalagang batas,” Dy said.

Dy also used the Victorias consultation to emphasize investments in teachers, students and safer schools as priorities of the House.

Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson and Victorias City Mayor Abelardo “Jun” Bantug III welcomed Dy and the delegation as residents and stakeholders were given an opportunity to weigh in on proposed measures seeking to expand income tax exemptions and strengthen the sugar industry.

“This is democracy at work. People are given the opportunity to speak, to listen, and to have a say in the discussions that will shape the laws that affect their communities,” Lacson said.

Lacson emphasized that local governments can help lawmakers identify policy gaps and implementation challenges based on their experience in delivering services to communities.

“For us in local government, this matters. We need policies that are clear, workable, and responsive to the actual conditions of our communities,” he said.

Lacson stressed the importance of the sugar industry to the province’s economy and the livelihoods of thousands of families.

“At a time when the sugar industry continues to face challenges, we need to look at its competitiveness and productivity, the welfare of our farmers and workers, and its ability to adapt to changing conditions,” he said.

Bantug said local leaders see firsthand the challenges facing families, workers, farmers, businesses and young people, while recognizing that many of these concerns require national action and support.

“May this not simply be a conversation, but the beginning of stronger collaboration—where the concerns raised by our communities find their way into the policies, programs, and decisions of government,” the mayor said.

University of St. La Salle-Bacolod College of Law Dean Rhodora Lo explained how a bill becomes law, helping participants understand the legislative process and opportunities for public participation.

Among those who joined were South Cotabato 2nd District Rep. and Senior Deputy Speaker Ferdinand “Dinand” Hernandez, Bacolod Rep. and Deputy Speaker Alfredo “Albee” Benitez, and Pangasinan 3rd District Rep. and Deputy Speaker Maria Rachel J. Arenas.

Also in attendance were Laguna 1st District Rep. Ann Matibag, Santa Rosa City Lone District Rep. Roy Gonzales, Laguna 3rd District Rep. Loreto “Amben” Amante, Biñan City Lone District Rep. Walfredo “Arman” Dimaguila Jr., Calamba City Lone District Rep. Charisse Anne Hernandez, Maguindanao del Norte Lone District Rep. Sittie Shahara “Bai Dimple” Mastura, Palawan 3rd District Rep. Gil “Kabarangay Jr.” Acosta, Las Piñas City Lone District Rep. Mark Anthony Santos, Pinoy Workers Party-list Rep. Karl Legazpi, FPJ Panday Bayanihan Party-list Rep. Brian Poe, Zamboanga Sibugay 1st District Rep. Marlo Bancoro, and Manila Teachers Party-list Rep. Ma. Nina Francesca Lacson.

The delegation also included Cebu 6th District Rep. Daphne Lagon, Lapu-Lapu City Lone District Rep. Junard “Ahong” Chan, Mandaue City Lone District Rep. Emmarie “Lolypop” Ouano-Dizon, Cebu City 2nd District Rep. Eduardo “Edu” Rama Jr., Malasakit@Bayanihan Party-list Rep. Girlie Veloso, Murang Kuryente Party-list Rep. Arthur Yap, Abang Lingkod Party-list Rep. Manuel “Manman” Ko, Negros Occidental 5th District Rep. Emilio Bernardino “Dino” Yulo, Negros Occidental 6th District Rep. and Deputy Speaker Mercedes “Chedeng” Alvarez, and Asenso Pinoy Party-list Rep. Henry “Indy” Oaminal Jr.

House Secretary General Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil and National Bureau of Investigation Director Melvin Matibag were also present.

The Victorias event was the fifth LegisHear consultation following earlier stops in Isabela, Butuan, Dumaguete and South Cotabato as the House continued its nationwide effort to bring legislative discussions directly to communities.