DIOCESE OF PAGADIAN

G. LluchSt., Balangasan District,

7016 Pagadian City, Philippines

7 December 2019

MOST REV. HONESTO F. ONGTIOCO, D.D

Bishop
Diocese of Cubao

Your Excellency,

Greetings from the Diocese of Pagadian!

By this letter, may I respectfully present to your Excellency, through the Rev. Fr.
Benigno Beltran, SVD, the REV. FR. REY MUTIA. May I also solicit your support for
his advocacy.

Fr. Rey Mutia is one of the priests of the Diocese of Pagadian. He helps the farmers in
his parish and the neighboring municipalities in their efforts to produce chemical- free
rice through organic farming. Sustainable-organic agriculture is one of the programs of
our Diocesan Social Action Center to respond to Pope Francis’ call in Laudato Si to
care for the earth and the people.

But our farmers’ products cannot compete against the commercial rice being sold in the
market, even if they are sold at reasonable price. Thus, I endorse the efforts of Fr.
Mutia in looking for more interested consumers in other dioceses. This move will
encourage more farmers here to engage in this unpopular but more beneficial manner
of producing healthy food.
Your support to our organic farmers means wellness among your people as well.

I remain

Sincerely yours,

RONALD I. LUNAS, D.D

Bishop of Pagadian