Staff reporter
LAOAG CITY—Diocese of Laoag Bishop Renato Mayugba enjoined residents here to work for peace and prosperity.
As a head start for 2018, Mr. Mayugba met with local reporters at the Bishop’s residence as he reechoed the homily of Pope Francis to seek God’s help to start anew with full of hope of whatever challenges this new year brings.
“We need peace in our country, peace in our homes and peace in our lives,” said Mr. Mayugba as he reiterated there will always be challenges that will come along the way but with the intercession of the Blessed Mother, everything will fall into place.
Political bickering marred Ilocos Norte last year, affecting Ilocanos in general.
To promote peace and get rid of misunderstanding among its people, Mr. Mayugba suggested the launching of a ‘walk for peace’ in the entire province.
“We do not want disturbance of our peace like what happened in Mindanao and we also want all our leaders to have peace and to have smooth working relationships with everybody,” Mr. Mayugba said as he underscored, “it is to our advantage when there is peace and understanding.”
The Laoag bishop is apparently referring to the still unresolved differences between Rep. Rodolfo “Rudy” C. Fariñas (Ilocos Norte, 1st district) and Ilocos Norte governor Ma. Imelda Josefa “Imee” R. Marcos over an on-going investigation of the alleged misuse of tobacco excise tax worth PHP 66.45 million when the provincial government purchase mini trucks and buses for the different Barangays of the province.