HOUSE Speaker Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III has challenged barangay officials to maximize the stability afforded by their fixed terms to enhance local governance, bolster public safety, and address grassroots concerns.
The next barangay elections are scheduled for November 2028.
Speaking at the fifth LegisHear consultation in Victorias City, Negros Occidental, Dy emphasized that local leaders now have an uninterrupted window to focus on community welfare.
“With your fixed term postponed to November 2028, there is much we must address to better care for and secure our barangays,” Dy stated in Filipino.
Dy highlighted that barangay officials possess vital firsthand knowledge of local issues due to their close proximity to constituents.
He explained that the LegisHear initiative—which previously visited Isabela, Butuan, Dumaguete, and South Cotabato—was created to bring Congress directly to the people.
By bypassing traditional discussions at the Batasang Pambansa, lawmakers can hear straight from local leaders and residents to shape better legislation for the 20th Congress.
During the session, Dy underscored public safety as a paramount concern, pointing specifically to the protection of families and children.
He stressed that safeguarding youth requires a collaborative effort among Congress, barangay leaders, parents, and communities.
Dy also touched upon legislative proposals aimed at preventing children from accessing firearms kept inside homes.
“It is our shared duty to ensure the safety of our youth, whether inside their homes or outside in their school classrooms,” Dy remarked, calling for unified action.
The Speaker encouraged participating officials to use the platform to identify gaps in existing policies and recommend practical solutions reflecting realities on the ground.
By incorporating these local perspectives, Congress aims to craft responsive laws that directly serve the needs of Filipinos in their communities.