Most Rev. Jose Palma, Archbishop of Cebu, together with other bishops and clergies, visited Brgy. Rio Tuba in Bataraza, Palawan where he led a tree planting activity last July 11.
Most Rev. Jose Palma, Archbishop of Cebu, together with other bishops and clergies, visited Brgy. Rio Tuba in Bataraza, Palawan where he led a tree planting activity last July 11.
The tree planting activity was participated by parishioners and clergies as well as by the staff of Coral Bay Nickel Corporation (CBNC) and Rio Tuba Nickel Mining Corporation (RTNMC) led by RTNMC Vice President for operations Gus Villaluna.
They planted trees at Mangingidong Rehabilitation site of RTNMC in line with the Ruby sacerdotal anniversary celebration of Archbishop Palma, Bishop Edgardo Juanich of the Vicariate of Taytay and their clergy-contemporaries from different diocesan
communities including Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish Priest’s Fr. Zoilo Deslate.
They were joined by other visiting religious and clergy of the Archdioceses of Cebu and Jaro in Iloilo.
Before planting, Bishop Edgardo Juanich led a prayer for the success of the activity.
Recognizing the importance of such activity, Archbishop Palma said he would advise the Vicariate of Puerto Princesa to do it regularly.
“This is the bottom line of getting valuable resources from the land. We must return back by planting more trees and I will tell Bishop Arigo (of vicariate of Puerto Princesa) to do it regularly,” Archbishop Palma said.
Archbishop Palma said was appointed Archbishop of Cebu by Pope Benedict XVI on October 15, 2010.
He had previously served as Archbishop of Palo in Leyte and also served as president of the influential Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines from 2011 to 2013.
The Sacred Heart of Jesus parish in Rio Tuba, Bataraza, Palawan became the host for the Ruby Sacerdotal Anniversary celebration organized by mostly alumni of St. Vincent Ferrer Seminary in Jaro, Iloilo City, and parishioners of the parish.
The RTNMC and CBNC management also helped in organizing the event.
Parishioners, together with other clergy and lay parishioners from all-over Palawan, were blessed to be able to attend on this celebration.
The activity started with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist led by Archbishop Palma, who focused his homily on giving thanks for the Ruby years the lord had given them.
After the Mass, a scrumptious Filipino dinner was served at the RTN Club House with CBNC and RTNMC Staff, parishioners and friends present.