On March 25, 2024, Pastor Roxie Pido, the Communication Director of the Southwestern Philippine Union Conference (SwPUC), along with administrators from the Western Mindanao Conference, visited Congresswoman Hon. Divina Grace Yu at her satellite office in Pagadian City. They represented Hope Channel Philippines, Adventist World Radio (AWR), and the Western Mindanao Conference, and expressed their heartfelt gratitude to Congresswoman Yu for her significant support in ensuring the renewal of Hope Channel's franchise in the Philippine Congress. They also appreciated her involvement in the Western Mindanao Conference's civic initiatives and acknowledged her efforts in sponsoring a bill, which is currently pending in the House of Representatives, that aims to renew the franchise for five radio stations in Mindanao operated by Digital Broadcasting Corporation. Their recognition of her commitment to supporting their missions was evident.

In 2018, Hope Channel Philippines faced challenges with renewal due to documentation issues. However, Congresswoman Yu's intervention was crucial in reviving the bill and rallying support from fellow legislators. Congresswoman Yu was a member of the Transportation Franchising Committee at that time. One day while performing her duties as a lawmaker, she entered the wrong door and overheard senators talking about the disqualification of the Renewal of Franchise for Hope Channel Philippines. Upon hearing the mention of Hope Channel and Seventh-day Adventist Church, she was reminded of her faith and her church. Congresswoman Yu was raised in a Seventh-day Adventist Church in Zamboanga Del Sur, where she regularly attended Pagadian City Central Church. Congresswoman Yu also studied and graduated at Norberto Bana, Sr. Memorial Elementary School. She was an active Adventist Youth and Pathfinder Leader during her teenage years, participating in singing, conducting youth fellowships, and visiting churches with other young people. Yu hails from the Cabardo Family of Molave, Zamboanga Del Sur.

Because of her deep connection to her God and her church, Congresswoman Yu took the initiative to revive the bill for the Renewal of Hope Channel Philippines franchise and convince other lawmakers to approve the renewal. With Congresswoman Divina Grace Yu's help, Hope Channel Philippines' franchise was renewed, and was given a 25-year license to operate. The franchise renewal took place at a time when the world did not yet know that a pandemic would challenge our faith. 

The renewal of Hope Channel's franchise in the Philippine Congress is a significant milestone for the network, ensuring its continued operations and ability to deliver wholesome and uplifting content to audiences across the country and soon our AWR franchise in Mindanao. In the years 2019 to 2021 when the doors of our churches were closed, Hope Channel South Philippines broadcasted gospel messages that shared love and changed lives. It has become an instrument of change and refuge for those weary and tired souls seeking a savior.

The Communication Department of the Southwestern Philippine Union Conference (SwPUC) extends its sincere gratitude to the administrators of the Western Mindanao Conference for their instrumental role in facilitating the meeting.

By Charm Pamisa-Senining, News Writer
      SwPUC Communication Department