Shirlyn BAÑAS

07/10/2026

Today marks the first anniversary of the privilege speech we delivered before the House of Representatives on 07 October 2025, entitled "Beyond the Bottleneck: Rebuilding Trust in Our Nation's Infrastructure – The Plight of the Mabuhay Underpass." In that speech, we placed on record the concerns surrounding the delayed project and called for accountability, transparency, and concrete technical solutions.

But the work neither began nor ended with that speech.

Even before we formally returned to the House, we had already moved to address the concerns surrounding the project, writing to the Commission on Audit on 02 June 2025 and holding a coordination meeting with DPWH personnel on 28 June 2025.

We also pursued legislative oversight and sustained technical engagement to determine what went wrong and what needed to be done to move the project forward. Our office organized a Project Inspectorate Team, conducted multiple ocular inspections, and consulted engineers, technical experts, and other stakeholders.

We likewise initiated and took part in a series of coordination meetings and dialogues with DPWH officials, the contractor, consultants, SOCOTECO II, and other concerned parties, bringing the issues on the ground to the proper agencies and technical authorities.

These engagements examined the critical challenges encountered during implementation, particularly groundwater seepage, the adequacy of geotechnical investigations, drainage and catchment capacity, design revisions, variation orders, and the resulting delays and additional costs. Among the key technical concerns we raised was the need for a more extensive geotechnical investigation and Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) to better determine subsurface conditions and guide appropriate engineering interventions.

The Mabuhay Underpass was conceived to address one of General Santos City's longstanding traffic bottlenecks, but its implementation ran into significant technical and project-management problems. For us, the issue was never simply about assigning blame. It was about establishing the facts, protecting public funds, demanding accountability, and working toward a solution that would ultimately serve the people of General Santos.

Today, we look back on that journey with gratitude. On 29 July 2026, the Mabuhay Underpass finally opened to traffic, and it now serves motorists, commuters, businesses, and communities across General Santos City.

Its completion underscores an important lesson: proper planning, rigorous technical studies, transparent implementation, and sustained public oversight matter. When government institutions work together, heed technical expertise, confront problems honestly, and stay focused on the public interest, even the most difficult infrastructure projects can be seen through.

From the floor of Congress to the project site, our commitment remains clear: Hindi tayo titigil hangga't hindi natatapos nang maayos ang bawat proyektong para sa GenSan.

Hon. Shirlyn Bañas-Nograles
Representative, Lone District of General Santos

04/10/2026

Happy World Teachers' Day, General Santos City!

Behind every doctor, fisherman, entrepreneur, public servant, and every General who ever learned to write their name, is a teacher who believed in them first. Many of you arrive before sunrise, stay long after the last bell, and spend from your own pockets so your learners have what they need. We see it, and we are grateful.

This year, the world marks 60 years since nations first agreed that teachers deserve respect, dignity, and a real voice in education. Our gratitude has to go beyond greetings. It means families, communities, and government standing beside you, because no teacher should carry the work of educating a child alone. I am proud to stand with you, in GenSan and in Congress.

To our public and private school teachers, ALS facilitators, child development workers, and retired educators: you gave us our first words, our first numbers, and our first big dreams. Today and every day, salamat kaayo.

Happy World Teachers' Day! ❤

02/10/2026

Ngayong National Indigenous Peoples Month, buong puso akong nakikiisa sa ating mga Indigenous Peoples, lalo na sa ating mga Blaan brothers and sisters sa GenSan.

Napakaganda at napakahalaga na marinig ang mga Blaan chants at masaksihan ang Madal, isang pagpapahayag ng kanilang kultura, tradisyon, at pagkakakilanlan. Ang mga ganitong sandali ay paalala kung gaano kayaman at kahalaga ang pamana ng ating mga katutubo.

Masaya rin akong makasama si IPMR City Councilor Hon. Arcillas Ubo sa ating aktibidad. Ang ating pakikiisa at pakikinig ay mahalagang bahagi ng paggalang sa kanilang kultura, karapatan, at lupaing ninuno.

Bilang inyong kinatawan sa Kongreso, patuloy akong kaisa ninyo sa pagsusulong ng mga serbisyong nagbibigay ng pagkakataon at pag-asa sa ating Indigenous Peoples, habang pinangangalagaan ang kanilang kultura at dignidad.

Mabuhay ang ating mga Indigenous Peoples. Mabuhay ang kulturang Blaan! ❤️

02/10/2026

KARAPATAN, KULTURA, AT LUPAING NINUNO: ATING IGALANG AT ITAGUYOD.

Ngayong National Indigenous Peoples Month, kasabay ng paggunita sa ika-29 na taon ng Indigenous Peoples' Rights Act (IPRA), nakikiisa tayo sa temang "Pagpapalakas ng mga Katutubo: Pagtataguyod ng Karapatan, Kultura, at Lupaing Ninuno."

Buong-puso nating binibigyang-pugay ang ating mga katutubong pamayanan, lalo na ang mga Blaan at lahat ng katutubong Heneral. Ang inyong kaalaman, wika, sining, at mga tradisyon ay mahalagang bahagi ng pagkakakilanlan at buhay ng ating lungsod.

Kaakibat ng pagkilalang ito ang paggalang sa inyong mga karapatan at lupaing ninuno, at pakikinig sa inyong mga tinig. Mahalaga ang inyong makabuluhang pakikilahok sa mga pagpapasyang may kinalaman sa inyong pamayanan at kinabukasan.

Bilang inyong kinatawan sa Kongreso, kaisa ninyo ako sa hangaring magkaroon ng edukasyon, serbisyong pangkalusugan, at kabuhayang tumutugon sa inyong pangangailangan at gumagalang sa inyong kultura.

Sama-sama nating itaguyod ang isang GenSan kung saan ang bawat batang katutubo ay malayang nangangarap, may pagkakataong umunlad, at ipinagmamalaki ang kaniyang pinagmulan.

Kayo ang ugat ng ating lungsod. Mabuhay ang ating mga katutubong pamayanan!

29/09/2026

Isang karangalan ang makiisa sa 1st NCMF SOCCSKSARGEN Halal Summit 2026, na ginanap ngayong Setyembre 29, 2026 sa Venue 88 Hotel and Event Center, General Santos City, na may temang “Halal-an SOCCSKSARGEN: Harmonizing Standards and Elevating Integrity.”

Mahalagang pagkakataon ang summit na ito upang pagsama-samahin ang mga ahensya ng pamahalaan, academe, Halal Certification Bodies, business sector, at financial institutions upang talakayin ang mga oportunidad, hamon, at hakbang para higit pang mapalakas ang Halal ecosystem sa SOCCSKSARGEN.

Kabilang sa mahahalagang bahagi ng programa ang Presentation and Joint Declaration of the Inter-Agency Regional Halal Council, pagkilala sa mga Halal MSMEs sa Region 12, at ang deklarasyon ng General Santos City bilang “Halal Hub Ready.”

Taos-pusong pasasalamat at pagkilala kay Atty. Gapor G. Quituar, Acting Regional Director, NCMF SOCCSKSARGEN, Ms. Aida P. Sedic, Head ng NCMF Field Office – General Santos City, at Atty. Jehan-Jehan Lepail, Deputy Executive Director ng NCMF Central Office, na kumatawan kay NCMF Secretary Sabuddin N. Abdurahim, para sa kanilang pamumuno at patuloy na pagsusulong ng Halal development sa ating rehiyon.

Sa lahat ng ahensya, organisasyon, negosyo, at stakeholders na naging bahagi ng pagtitipong ito, maraming salamat sa inyong pakikiisa. Patuloy nating palakasin ang Halal ecosystem, itaguyod ang mga pamantayan at integridad, at buksan ang mas maraming oportunidad para sa ating mga kababayan at negosyo sa SOCCSKSARGEN. 💚

29/09/2026

Malipayon kitang nakig-uban sa Grand Alumni Reunion ug Launching sa Project PARK (Promoting Active Reading and Knowledge Building) sa Bula Central Elementary School. Nindot kaayo nga makita ang mga alumni nga nagtapok pag-usab, dili lamang aron sa paghinumdom sa ilang mga panumduman sa eskwelahan, kundili aron maghiusa ug magtinabangay alang sa kalambuan sa ilang alma mater ug, labaw sa tanan, alang sa atong mga kabataan.

Congratulations sa BCES Alumni Association, ubos sa pagpanguna ni President Restituto Facurib Jr., alang sa malampusong paghiusa sa mga alumni ug sa inyong padayon nga suporta alang sa Bula Central Elementary School. Daghang salamat usab sa tanang alumni, ginikanan, stakeholders, ug sa tibuok BCES family, ilabi na sa atong mga magtutudlo nga padayon nga nag-atiman ug naghulma sa kahibalo ug kaugmaon sa atong mga kabataan, ubos sa pagpanguna ni Principal Ma’am Marilou G. Arellano ug Assistant School Principal Ma’am Shirmae L. Abison.

Ang Project PARK usa ka maayong paningkamot sa pagpalambo sa pagbasa ug pagpalig-on sa kahibalo sa atong mga estudyante.

Padayon ta sa paghiusa ug pagtinabangay alang sa edukasyon, alang sa kabataan, ug alang sa mas hayag nga kaugmaon. 💚📚

28/09/2026

Pagdiriwang ng sining at kwentong Pilipino! 📚✨

Bilang pakikiisa sa pagdiriwang ng Philippine Creative Industries Month, binuksan sa House of Representatives ang Aklat Fiesta Mini Book Fair, katuwang ang National Book Development Board (NBDB).

Ang inisyatibong ito ay pinangunahan ni Cong. Javi Benitez at ng Committee on Creative Industries upang palakasin, ipagmalaki, at bigyang-suporta ang ating mga lokal na manunulat.

Kasama natin sa araw na ito ang Vice Chairperson at mga Miyembro ng House​ Special Committee on Creative Industries (SCCI):

• Vice Chair Rep. Arjo Atayde
• Rep. Bella Suansing
• Rep. Ryan Recto
• Rep. Renee Co

At mga kinatawan ng ​NBDB:

• Executive Director Charisse Tugade
• Director Carol Tapia
• Ms. Virgie Nicodemus
• Ms. Charmaine Capuchino
• Ms. Maria Christina Pangan-Cagalingan
• Ms. Marie Grace Gomez
• Mr. Daniel Lorenzo Mariano

Halina't tumuklas ng mga bagong akda, at ipamalas ang ating suporta sa mga Pilipinong manunulat. Tangkilikin ang sariling atin. 🇵🇭📖

28/09/2026

Buhayin ang kwentong Pilipino sa Aklat Fiesta Mini Book Fair! 📚✨

​Hatid ng National Book Development Board (NBDB)at ng Committee on Creative Industries sa pangunguna ng ating Committee Chairperson Rep. Javi Benitez, bilang pagdiriwang ng Philippine Creative Industries Month.

Suportahan natin ang galing ng mga manunulat na Pilipino! Tangkilikin ang sariling atin. 🇵🇭📖

​

25/09/2026

❗️MAHALAGANG ANNONCEMENT MULA SA COMELEC ❗️

Nilagdaan na ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. ang Republic Act No. 12326.

AN ACT FIXING THE TERM OF OFFICE OF BARANGAY OFFICIALS AND MEMBERS OF THE SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN TO FIVE (5) YEARS, AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 12232 OR "AN ACT SETTING THE TERM OF OFFICE OF BARANGAY OFFICIALS AND MEMBERS OF THE SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”

👉 5-year term for all Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Officials
📆 November 13, 2028 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections

Dahil dito, ang Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections sa November 2, 2026 ay hindi na itutuloy. Kinakansela na rin ng COMELEC ang Calendar of Activities, kasama na ang Filing of Certificates of Candidacy mula September 28 hanggang October 5, 2026, pati na rin ang mga kaugnay na Prohibitions on Disbursement of Public Funds, Transfer, Appointment, Promotions, Suspensions, atbp, at ang nakatakdang Election Period simula October 3, 2026.

𝗔𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗮𝗴𝗯𝘂𝗯𝘂𝗸𝗮𝘀 𝗺𝘂𝗹𝗶 𝗻𝗴 𝗩𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗻𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝗴𝘀𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗺𝘂𝗹𝗮 𝘀𝗮 𝗶𝗸𝗮𝗹𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗻𝗴 (𝟮𝗻𝗱) 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗴𝗼 𝗻𝗴 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲.

📣 𝐈𝐌𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐓 𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓

Nilagdaan na ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. ang Republic Act No. 12326.

AN ACT FIXING THE TERM OF OFFICE OF BARANGAY OFFICIALS AND MEMBERS OF THE SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN TO FIVE (5) YEARS, AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 12232 OR "AN ACT SETTING THE TERM OF OFFICE OF BARANGAY OFFICIALS AND MEMBERS OF THE SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”

👉 5-year term for all Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Officials
📆 November 13, 2028 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections

Dahil dito, ang Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections sa November 2, 2026 ay hindi na itutuloy. Kinakansela na rin ng COMELEC ang Calendar of Activities, kasama na ang Filing of Certificates of Candidacy mula September 28 hanggang October 5, 2026, pati na rin ang mga kaugnay na Prohibitions on Disbursement of Public Funds, Transfer, Appointment, Promotions, Suspensions, atbp, at ang nakatakdang Election Period simula October 3, 2026.

𝗔𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗮𝗴𝗯𝘂𝗯𝘂𝗸𝗮𝘀 𝗺𝘂𝗹𝗶 𝗻𝗴 𝗩𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗻𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝗴𝘀𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗺𝘂𝗹𝗮 𝘀𝗮 𝗶𝗸𝗮𝗹𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗻𝗴 (𝟮𝗻𝗱) 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗴𝗼 𝗻𝗴 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲.

25/09/2026

It was a pleasure to join Aegis Fuel OPC in celebrating the opening of their new branch in Barangay Katangawan, General Santos City.

Thank you to Mr. Mark Anthony Nonokan, President and Founder of Aegis Fuel OPC, and the entire Aegis Fuel family for the warm welcome and for allowing us to be part of this meaningful milestone.

Every new business is a dream built through hard work, courage, and perseverance. More importantly, it creates new opportunities for our people and contributes to the growth of our community.

Congratulations, Aegis Fuel Katangawan! May this new beginning bring continued success, meaningful opportunities, and shared growth for your business and the people of General Santos City. 💚