The 45th celebration of the Diocesan Clergy of Mindanao Convention found its way to the shores of Davao Oriental with the Diocese of Mati hosting this year’s historic gathering of diocesan clergymen from all over Mindanao from February 14-16, 2023.
The Provincial Government, led by Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon, formally welcomed about a thousand delegates with a Valentine’s Fellowship Night at the Provincial Capitol on their first night of stay in the province on February 14. This gave them a superb first impression and overview of the province’s exquisite history and culture, tourist attractions, religious beliefs, and the faith of its people through various performances and presentations.
Welcoming the delegates, Bishop Abel C. Apigo, DD of the Diocese of Mati, cordially received everyone saying, “we are all brothers in the priesthood; we are all sisters in the mission of the Lord.”
He also continued by expressing gratitude to the partners who helped in staging the convention.
“This evening’s gathering of people filled with love is welcomed by a kind and loving mother. I am saying this with conviction because this dinner is offered to us from a loving heart, from our beloved Governor. The clergy of Mati is so blessed that we have her all-out support for this welcome dinner. We are immensely grateful for this warm welcome to our priests,” Bishop Apigo added.
Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon conveyed how overjoyed she is for her province to host such a meaningful event.
“As governor of this province, I take pride that you have chosen the Diocese of Mati as the host of the 45th annual convention of the Diocesan Clergy of Mindanao,” Governor Malanyaon remarked with glee for the presence of the bishops and priests coming from the sub-ecclesiastical regions of DADITAMA (Davao, Digos, Tagum and Mati), DOPIM (Dipolog, Ozamis, Pagadian, Iligan, and Marawi), ZAMBASULI (Zamboanga, Basilan, Sulu, and Ipil), CABUSTAM (Cagayan de Oro, Butuan, Surigao, Tandag, and Malaybalay), and KIDMACO ( Kidapawan, Marbel, and Cotabato).
“We’re happy that you allowed us to share our hospitality which unlocks an incredible opportunity to connect with you as we are one in transforming the lives of the people that we serve,” she said.
Governor Malanyaon also took the time to invite the delegates to indulge and visit some of Davao Oriental top tourist destinations and experience first-hand how beautiful Davao Oriental is. She also noted their inspiring presence would deeply impact the province’s strategic development framework on agriculture and tourism and other programs to alleviate poverty “as Davao Oriental’s Ambassadors of Goodwill.”
𝗗𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗼 𝗢𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝘀 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀, 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀, 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝘅𝗵𝗶𝗯𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 (𝗠𝗜𝗖𝗘) 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
With Mati City, Davao Oriental’s recent hosting stint of two major events last year, the Bay Deep Mati Freediving Festival and the Mindanao Association of State Tertiary Schools (MASTS) Games, the City of Mati and the Province of Davao Oriental is no stopping in gearing to becoming a MICE destination. These events’ hosting and the ongoing staging of the DCM Convention demonstrate Davao Oriental and the City of Mati’s capacity to accommodate major events of this scale.
The 45th Diocesan Clergy of Mindanao Convention welcomes about a thousand attendees, including bishops, priests, and their respective delegations.
As Davao Oriental gains more recognition and draws more organizations to hold their events in the province, this will eventually benefit the tourism industry and support the growth and development of the local economy. Moreover, holding huge events would also help generate jobs for the locals.
The tourism industry has been emphasized by Governor Malanyaon numerous times, even naming it as one of the province’s economic drivers for poverty reduction alongside the agriculture industry. The majority of the province’s tourist attractions and eco-parks are currently undergoing renovations and repairs in preparation for a grand tourism re-launch in the middle of this year. Additionally, workshops and ongoing skills development training are being held to support the front-line employees of the tourism sector. ʙʏ ꜰʀᴀɴᴄɪꜱ ᴊᴀʏ ʙᴜᴛᴜʟᴀɴ | ᴘʜᴏᴛᴏꜱ ʙʏ ᴍᴀʀᴋ ᴏʟɪᴠᴇʀ ᴀʟᴠɪᴛᴇ
