By Dominic B. dela Cruz
Staff reporter
Laoag City—Members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod here, headed by vice mayor and council presiding officer Michael V. Fariñas unanimously approved a resolution declaring Archbishop Edmundo Madarang Abaya, Emeritus of Nueva Segovia, Philippines as an adopted son of Laoag City.
Councilor Franklin Dante A. Respicio, sponsor of the measure, said Mr. Abaya served as the Bishop of the Diocese of Laoag for more than two years; and that “it is but proper to declare the Bishop as adopted son of Laoag as he guided the church closer to the people”.
The Bishop also adopted program, projects and activities that alleviated the difficulties of the marginalized sectors of society and promoted the protection and respect for human rights.
Mr. Respicio identified the San Lorenzo Ruiz Medical and Dental Charity as one of Mr. Abaya’s foremost projects. The said project caters to the medical and dental needs of indigents that manifests his Episcopal motto which is “Cor Ardens Caritate”, or Heart aflame for charity.
Mr. Abaya also initiated the Episcopal coronation of La Virgen Milagrosa de Badoc in 1980 under the Cause of Our Joy, Patroness of Ilocos Norte that drives to the devotion of Our Lady till present.
The Episcopal coronation paved the way to the pontifical coronation of La Virgen Milagrosa de Badoc.
These extraordinary deeds that benefitted the people of the Diocese of Laoag earned him the accolade to become an adopted son of the city of Laoag.