The Municipal Government of Itogon observed the Bible Month Celebration through a liturgical service led by the Itogon Inter-faith Ministers Association (IIMA) during the regular Monday flag ceremony at the Municipal Gymnasium in Poblacion, Itogon.
Rev. Joseph Agno explained the origin of the National Bible Month observance, which began in 1982 through Presidential Proclamation No. 2242 issued by President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. The observance was further institutionalized in 2017 when President Rodrigo Duterte signed Presidential Proclamation No. 124, officially declaring the month of January as National Bible Month. In the proclamation, President Duterte emphasized that the Bible has guided individuals and nations throughout history to work for the good of others, even at great personal sacrifice.
In his message, Pastor Marvin Puyao shared the transformative power of the Word of God in both personal and communal life. He said:
“No kayat tayo nga ma-transform ti biyag tayo, pasreken tayo ti sao ni Apo Diyos iti panunot, puso, ken iti biyag tayo. Nu kayat tayo nga ma-transform ti komunidad ken nasyon tayo, palubusan tayo nga ti sao ti Apo isu ti mangbaliw kadatayo.”
(“If we want our lives to be transformed, we must allow the Word of God to enter our minds, our hearts, and our daily lives. And if we want our community and our nation to be transformed, we must allow the Word of God to be the one that changes us.”)
The Bible Month Celebration liturgy was attended by local government officials and employees, uniformed personnel, and guests.
Mayor Bernard S. Waclin commended the Itogon Inter-faith Ministers Association for spearheading the activity and echoed the relevance of the Bible in guiding public service and community life.
