PH Congress to bring lawmaking closer to communities with 'LegisHear' public hearings

The House of Representatives is set to launch on Friday an initiative aimed at bringing Congress closer to communities through consultations, policy dialogues, public hearings, and oversight activities.

Dubbed LegisHear, the nationwide legislative consultation and oversight initiative will be formally launched at the Isabela State University in Echague, Isabela, according to House Secretary General Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil on Thursday.

In a statement, Garafil said the program is the first major step in Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III’s goal of making the House more open, responsive, and people-centered by bringing legislative consultations directly to communities across the country.

Dy will lead the inaugural event, to be joined by Negros Occidental 3rd District Rep. Javier Miguel Benitez, officials of Isabela State University, representatives of partner national government agencies, local government officials, civil society organizations, educators, farmers, students, and other sectoral stakeholders.

The event will include a town hall meeting, legislative discussions, focus group discussions, and public service activities.

Garafil said LegisHear puts into action Dy’s commitment, made during his opening message for the Second Regular Session, for the House to "listen more intently, serve more faithfully, and remain accountable to the Filipino people."

She added that the program is anchored on the House leadership’s belief that meaningful legislation must be based on the realities experienced by Filipinos.

"Good laws are not crafted in isolation. They are bolstered by the experiences, aspirations, and recommendations of the people whose lives they seek to improve. Through LegisHear, Congress will listen, learn, and legislate with greater purpose," Garafil said.

The initiative aims to gather public input on pending legislative measures, assess the implementation of existing laws and government programs, strengthen congressional oversight, and institutionalize citizen participation in the lawmaking process under the guiding principle, “Bawat Batas Mahalaga” (Each Law is Important).

After its inaugural run in Isabela, LegisHear is expected to expand to other parts of the country as part of the House of Representatives' continuing efforts to make lawmaking more participatory, accessible, and responsive to the needs of Filipinos.

-Philippine News Agency