March 29, 2024

Pastor Appreciation Week celebrated every last week of October is now an institutionalized event in Baguio.

The event coincides with the Pastoral Care Week or Spiritual Care week which will be observed nationwide from Oct. 23 to 29 this year. 

This shall prompt the city government to spearhead programs and activities purposely to express profound gratitude and appreciation to the commendable contributions and good services of pastors, priests, reverends, ministers, evangelists, clergymen, imams, and other religious leaders in the city.

In the recently approved ordinance authored by Councilor Vladimir Cayabas, a committee shall be created to spearhead the programs and activities during the appreciation day. The committee shall consist of the city administrator as chairperson; one representative from religious groups based in the city as the vice chair; 10 representatives of religious sectors in the city, and a representative from the Baguio Correspondents and Broadcaster’s Club as members.

An amount of P100,000 shall be appropriated for the purpose and shall be included in the annual budget of the City Administrator’s Office subject to the regular accounting rules and auditing system. 

In 2003, Baguio was designated as a character city, which paved the way for the implementation of programs enriching the character of residents and officials in the city.

Cayabas said local churches have greatly contributed to this endeavor, thus, the efforts of local religious leaders need to be recognized and appreciated. 

He said while various church-based groups promote and celebrate the National Pastoral Appreciation day on their own, it’s about time that the city government spearhead a harmonized program purposely for the same objective of thanking the contributions and services of religious leaders in the city. – Jordan G. Habbiling