Speaker Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III on Monday called for unity among lawmakers and employees of the House of Representatives to help restore public trust and deliver long-awaited reforms for Filipinos.

“Ilang buwan pa lamang ang nakakalipas mula nang pagkatiwalaan tayo na pamunuan ang institusyong ito. Sa totoo lang, napakalaki ng hamon at suliraning ating nadatnan. Ngunit sa kabila ng lahat, hindi ako natinag — dahil alam kong hindi ako nag-iisa. Kasama ko kayo. Kasama ko ang tapang, talino, at puso ng bawat kinatawan at bawat kawani dito sa Kapulungan (Only a few months had passed since I was entrusted to lead this institution. In truth, there’s a big challenge and problem that we came across. But despite all that, I was unshaken — because I know I’m not alone. You are with me. I am with the bravery, brilliance, and heart of every representative and every personnel here in Congress),” Dy said during the flag-raising ceremony at the Batasan Complex.

The Speaker urged both legislators and staff to stay focused on the people’s welfare and asked everybody to face the challenge together and help one another.

Dy said that it is time for the chamber to help provide stability in the country and for that, it must take the opportunity to meet the challenges confronting the nation with clarity, courage and unity.

“Kung may panahon mang hinihingi ang pagkakaisa, iyon ay ngayon na. Kung may pagkakataon mang dapat magpamalas tayo ng lakas ng loob at paninindigan, iyon ay ngayon na rin. Kung may puwang man para maging liwanag tayo sa gitna ng dilim ng kaguluhan, pagdududa, at maling impormasyon — ito na ang tamang panahon (If there’s a time for unity to happen, the time is now. If there’s an opportunity to show our bravery and conviction, that is also now. If there’s chance for us to become the light in the middle of the darkness of chaos, doubts and wrong information — this is the right time),” he added.

The first Speaker from the province of Isabela said lasting reforms require humility, cooperation, and faith, and can be achieved only through collective effort and trust in God.

According to him, unity will enable the House to finally advance and implement long-awaited reforms for Filipinos.

“Dahil sa ating pagkakaisa, unti-unti nating maipaglalaban at maipapatupad ang mga pagbabagong matagal nang hinihintay ng ating mga kababayan (Because of unity, we can gradually implement the reforms our countrymen have been waiting for),” he said.

He also urged the entire institution to resist political noise and misinformation that could distract it from its mandate.

“Hinihikayat ko kayo: huwag nating hayaang maapektuhan tayo ng mga naririnig o nababasa sa social media. Kayang-kaya nating baguhin ang imahe ng institusyong ito sa pamamagitan ng tapat, masipag, at makabuluhang paglilingkod (Don’t be affected by what you hear and read in social media. We can improve the image of the institution through honest, diligent and meaningful service),” he said.

“Hindi na magtatagal ang bawat isa sa inyo ay makakapaglakad nang taas-noo, dahil kabahagi kayo, at tayong lahat, sa pagbabagong ating sama-samang isinusulong. Hindi tayo titigil hanggang hindi natin maabot ang mataas na kalidad ng ating serbisyo at makagbigay tayo ng dignidad sa ating institusyon (Soon, each of you can walk proudly, because we are part of the changes we are pushing together. We won’t stop until we reach the high quality of service, and until we can give dignity to our institution).” (PNA)