Speaker Dy Praises South Cotabato’s Progress During LegisHear

House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III expressed his admiration for the development and beauty of South Cotabato as he lead the fourth leg of the House of Representatives’ LegisHear public consultation program held Saturday, September 12, at the South Cotabato Gymnasium and Cultural Center.

Speaking before local officials headed by South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo Tamayo, Jr., students, government representatives, and various sectors, Dy shared his impression of the province after seeing its roads and surroundings firsthand.

"Nakita po natin kanina habang dumadaan po kami sa haba at kagandahan ng inyong kalye, nagulat po ako at mangha’t mangha ako sapagkat napakaganda ng probinsya ng South Cotabato,” Dy said.

He then called on the audience to recognize the province’s leaders for their efforts in sustaining its development.

“Palakpakan po natin ang inyong mga leaders at sana lahat ng probinsya ganyan kaunlad at kaganda,” he added.

Dy’s remarks came as the House brought its legislative consultation directly to South Cotabato, giving residents and stakeholders an opportunity to voice their concerns and recommendations on proposed laws that directly affect their communities.

Hosted by Senior Deputy Speaker and South Cotabato 2nd District Representative Ferdinand “Dinand” Hernandez, the Koronadal City LegisHear focused on three key measures concerning healthcare, higher education, and electricity costs.

Among the measures discussed was House Bill No. 8342, principally authored by Hernandez, which seeks to upgrade the SOCCSKSARGEN General Hospital into a regional medical center and increase its authorized bed capacity from 75 to 1,500.

Also discussed was House Bill No. 8627, which seeks to convert the South Cotabato State College in Surallah into the South Cotabato State University. The measure has already been approved by the House on third and final reading and is awaiting action in the Senate.

The third measure, House Bill No. 10602, proposes to exempt electricity system losses from value-added tax, with the goal of opening discussions on policies that could help ease electricity costs for consumers.

The LegisHear also highlighted the House leadership’s push to bring Congress closer to ordinary Filipinos. Dy emphasized that communities themselves know best what their localities need to become more progressive.

The South Cotabato consultation marked the fourth leg of the LegisHear program, following consultations in Isabela, Butuan City, and Dumaguete City. It also made Mindanao the first major island group to host two LegisHear consultations.

For South Cotabato, the visit served not only as an opportunity to discuss legislation but also as recognition of the province’s continuing efforts toward development - something that caught the attention of the House Speaker himself.

Dy’s message highlighted the broader purpose of LegisHear: bringing national lawmakers closer to communities, listening directly to their concerns, and crafting laws that respond to the actual needs of Filipinos.