ECHAGUE, Isabela – The House of Representatives officially launched its nationwide LegisHear program in Isabela on Friday, marking a new approach to lawmaking that brings legislators directly to communities to gather firsthand insights from citizens, particularly stakeholders in the agriculture sector.

The inaugural consultation, held at Isabela State University, aims to ensure that future legislation is grounded on the real needs and experiences of Filipinos by encouraging direct dialogue between lawmakers and the public.

House Speaker Faustino "Inno" Dy III, who represents the Sixth District of Isabela, said the initiative seeks to make the legislative process more responsive by allowing Congress to hear concerns, recommendations, and policy proposals before drafting or amending laws.

According to the Speaker, engaging directly with communities enables lawmakers to identify issues that may have been overlooked and develop measures that address the actual challenges faced by various sectors.

Recognizing Isabela as one of the country's agricultural powerhouses, Dy emphasized that launching the program in the province reflects the House's commitment to strengthening Philippine agriculture and improving the welfare of Filipino farmers.

"We are known for our strength in agriculture. We must continue to strengthen our agricultural sector and provide greater support to our farmers," Dy said.

He added that the vision is to create an environment where farmers receive fair prices for their produce, enjoy better incomes, and benefit from stronger government support programs that will help agriculture flourish—not only in Isabela but throughout the Philippines.

Speaker Dy stressed that the recommendations gathered during the consultations would serve as valuable inputs in reviewing existing laws, identifying policy gaps, and crafting legislation that responds effectively to the needs of local communities.

The first LegisHear consultation gathered a broad range of stakeholders, including farmers, fisherfolk, educators, students, local government officials, civil society organizations, and representatives from various national government agencies. Participants discussed pressing concerns affecting agriculture, rural development, and the implementation of existing laws.

In addition to the consultation, participating government agencies provided frontline public services and collected feedback from citizens to help improve the quality and accessibility of government programs.

The LegisHear initiative is expected to continue in various regions across the country as part of the House of Representatives' effort to promote participatory governance and develop legislation that reflects the voices and priorities of the Filipino people.

NPO News Team I PNA -  HOR PRO