Parañaque 2nd District Representative Brian Raymund Yamsuan has called on fellow lawmakers to leverage digital tools to build “bridges of transparency” that will heighten awareness about state-funded services, strengthen public trust and bring government closer to the people.
Instead of relying on traditional, and often tedious, modes of delivering public services, Yamsuan said government officials should learn to adapt and take advantage of digital solutions to make such processes simple, fair, and convenient for potential beneficiaries.
“The right information and the right services to Filipinos can help regain public trust and confidence in our institutions.”
“In this digital age, information is no longer confined to the halls of government or the pages of textbooks—it flows through the screens and smartphones of every Filipino. And with that flow comes an opportunity: an opportunity to connect, to inform, to empower, and above all, to build trust,” Yamsuan told colleagues in a privilege speech delivered Monday (Sept. 1, 2025).
Yamsuan said the Philippines’ distinction as the world’s social media capital with 97.5 million internet users illustrates how Filipinos have become heavily reliant on online platforms in getting information, which the government can capitalize on to connect with citizens and make them aware of its various programs and projects.
“The government, and we public servants, are often criticized for not doing enough to address problems or bridge gaps. But sometimes the issue is not the lack of programs, but the lack of awareness,” noted Yamsuan, the vice-chairperson of the House committee on public information.
“As representatives of our respective districts and sectors, we are in a prime position to be part of the solution. We can take the lead in providing information that is easily digestible and understandable, and most importantly, information that is relevant to the needs of our constituents,” he said.
Yamsuan said that instead of using social media and other avenues of information as tools of division, these should be developed as “bridges of transparency.”
“Let us harness every platform—not just to broadcast, but to listen, not just to speak, but to engage,” Yamsuan said.
“In this digital age, information is no longer confined to the halls of government or the pages of textbooks—it flows through the screens and smartphones of every Filipino.”
He said delivering the “right information and the right services” to Filipinos can help regain public trust and confidence in our institutions because people would be able to see and feel that they have a government they can rely on.
“Bilang mga lingkod bayan, magtulungan tayo na mapatatag pa ang tiwala ng mga mamamayan sa gobyerno (As public servants, let us help each other in bolstering the people’s trust in the government). Together let us move forward connected, informed, and united,” Yamsuan said.
“Let them be proud to say ‘Congressman ko yan,’” he added.
In Paranaque’s 2nd District, Yamsuan said he has identified the most urgent needs of his constituents in order to target beneficiaries. He has also rebranded government programs that can benefit them for easy recall, and utilized online platforms to make registrations efficient, convenient and fair for everyone.
One example, he said, is the BAON or Bigay Ayuda at Oportunidad sa Nakababata program—a rebranded form of the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
A portion of the AICS fund for the district was tailored to meet the specific needs of students. The BAON program provides each qualified student with P5,000 in educational assistance, while those recognized for academic excellence get P10,000 each.
“In Parañaque, and across the Philippines, may we continue to build a future where information is not feared but respected, where dialogue replaces doubt, and where an informed citizenry becomes the strongest pillar of a trustworthy and accountable government,” Yamsuan said.
Pointing out the lack of public awareness about government support programs, Yamsuan cited a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey which showed that while over 93 percent of Filipinos know about the 4Ps or the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, only 34% were aware of the AICS program.
Yamsuan also recalled the time when he was chairperson of the House Committee on Aquaculture and Fisheries Resources in the previous Congress, and he learned that a scholarship program with generous benefits offered by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) had only a few takers because not a lot of people know about it.
A nationwide survey conducted in 2023 by the research firm Capstone-Intel showed a lack of knowledge about the various initiatives of the Department of Health (DOH), with only 45% of the survey participants being aware of the Universal Health Care program, he said.
