Naga City Mayor Jesse M. Robredo and Vice Mayor Gabriel H. Bordado Jr. presented to Fr. Richard Ryan Ho Lung, founder of the Missionaries of the Poor (MOP), Sangguniang Panlungsod Resolution No. 2006-250 citing his great humanitarian work in various parts of the world, including Naga City.

        The presentation of the said resolution was done right after the liturgical celebrations marking the silver jubilee of the MOP. The Archbishop of Caceres, Most Reverend Leonardo Z. Legaspi, O.P., D.D was the principal celebrant.



Naga City Mayor Jesse M. Robredo and Vice Mayor Gabriel H. Bordado Jr. present a resolution of thanks to Fr. Ho Lung, founder of the Missionaries of the Poor. Former Congressman and City Mayor Sulpicio Roco witnesses the simple rite. RANDY VILLAFLOR

        According to the resolution drafted by Vice Mayor Bordado himself, in upholding the belief that the call to serve the poor is an invitation to hapiness, Fr. Ho Lung, through the MOP, has inspired a zealous and ever-growing assemblage of priests and brothers all professing to proffer corporal works of mercy to the most needy and least fortunate.

        In 1993, the MOP, with Fr. Ho Lung at helm, reached the Philippines and through the invitation of Archbishop Legaspi, established its first Philippine mission here in Naga City. Incidentally, Mayor Robredo was then laying the groundwork for the institutionalization of the now multi-award-winning urban poor program known as Kaantabay sa Kauswagan.

        Bordado also cited in his resolution that in just a little over a decade, the MOP, duly recognized by the Philippine Catholic Church as a religious institute in 1998, has succeeded in establishing a growing community in Barangay Cararayan, housing 130 persons including special children, mentally ill patients and elderly homeless; operating a pre-school for 60 needy kids; and conducting apostolic activities which have been touching the lives of people in Naga City.