KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato — Mindanao has become the first major island group in the Philippines to host two legs of the House of Representatives’ nationwide LegisHear consultation program, as Congress brought its public lawmaking initiative to South Cotabato and gave residents a direct opportunity to weigh in on major proposals affecting healthcare, education and electricity costs.
The South Cotabato consultation followed the first Mindanao leg held in Butuan City in August, marking another step in the House’s effort to take the legislative process beyond Metro Manila and directly into communities.
The event was led by House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III and hosted by Senior Deputy Speaker and South Cotabato 2nd District Rep. Ferdinand “Dinand” Hernandez.
For House leaders, the message was clear: laws should not be crafted in isolation from the people who will eventually live under them.
From Manila to Mindanao: Congress Takes Lawmaking to the Ground
LegisHear is a nationwide legislative consultation and oversight initiative launched by the House of Representatives in July 2026.
The program formally began in Echague, Isabela, for Luzon, before moving to Butuan City for its first Mindanao leg and Dumaguete City for the Visayas consultation. The House then paused briefly to assess feedback and improve the program before expanding it to additional provinces, including South Cotabato.
House Secretary General Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil said the initiative is based on the idea that Filipinos should have an opportunity to participate in discussions involving laws that could directly affect their lives.
The Butuan consultation alone drew more than 2,000 participants, highlighting the House’s push to connect lawmakers with communities and bring local concerns into the legislative process.
South Cotabato Residents Weigh In on Healthcare, Education and Power Costs
The South Cotabato LegisHear focused on several measures with potentially significant effects on Mindanao communities.
One of the major proposals discussed was House Bill No. 8342, which seeks to rename the SOCCSKSARGEN General Hospital as the SOCCSKSARGEN Regional and Medical Center and dramatically increase its authorized bed capacity from 75 to 1,500.
The proposed expansion is intended to improve access to hospital and specialty services for residents of South Cotabato and nearby areas. The measure has already been approved by the House on third and final reading and is awaiting Senate action.
Also under discussion was House Bill No. 8627, which seeks to convert the South Cotabato State College in Surallah into the South Cotabato State University.
Supporters say the proposal could help expand access to higher education and strengthen the school’s ability to serve more students in the province. Like the hospital measure, the bill has already passed the House on third and final reading.
Can Congress Help Bring Down Electricity Costs?
Another major issue brought before participants was the continuing burden of electricity costs.
The consultation included discussions on House Bill No. 10602, which proposes exempting electricity system losses from value-added tax.
The proposal opens a broader debate over whether changes in government policy could help ease the financial burden carried by electricity consumers.
For many Mindanao residents, power costs remain a practical issue that affects households, businesses and local economic activity—making the consultation more than just a discussion about legislation.
Hernandez: Laws Must Begin With the People’s Voice
Senior Deputy Speaker Hernandez described LegisHear as a serious effort by Congress to ensure that legislation reflects the concerns of ordinary Filipinos.
The South Cotabato event brought together residents, sectoral representatives, local officials and government agencies, giving participants opportunities to ask questions, share experiences and submit recommendations.
The program also included an orientation on how a bill becomes law, helping participants better understand how public concerns can potentially move from community discussions into formal legislative action.
Why Mindanao’s Second Leg Matters
Mindanao’s distinction as the first major island group to host two LegisHear consultations is significant because it signals the House’s intention to repeatedly engage communities rather than limit consultations to one stop per major region.
The first Mindanao leg in Butuan focused on education and healthcare measures affecting Caraga, while the South Cotabato consultation shifted attention toward regional healthcare capacity, higher education and electricity costs.
House Speaker Dy has repeatedly described LegisHear as part of an effort to make Congress more open, participatory and people-centered.
The initiative’s larger challenge, however, will be what happens after the consultations.
Residents can speak. Communities can submit recommendations. Stakeholders can raise problems directly with lawmakers.
But the question many Filipinos will be watching is whether those voices will ultimately be reflected in the laws that Congress passes.
As LegisHear continues its nationwide rollout, South Cotabato’s historic second Mindanao stop may offer an important test of whether bringing Congress closer to the people can truly change how laws are made in the Philippines.
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