Bishop Ruben Labajo is set to be inaugurated as the inaugural bishop of the newly established Diocese of Prosperidad in Agusan del Sur on Tuesday. Labajo arrived at Nasipit Port in Agusan del Norte on Monday morning, greeted by clergy from the Diocese of Butuan. He then moved to the residence of Bishop Cosme Damian Almedilla of the Butuan Diocese. The creation of the Diocese of Prosperidad was announced by Pope Francis on October 15, 2023, to cater to around 486,000 Catholics in Agusan del Sur, marking its separation from the Diocese of Butuan, which serves Agusan del Norte. During a press conference on Monday, Labajo expressed his enthusiasm about his new role in Prosperidad, describing it as a land of promise and new beginnings. Ordained in 1994 in the Archdiocese of Cebu, Labajo was appointed bishop by Pope Francis in 2022 and served as an auxiliary bishop before his appointment to Prosperidad in October 2024. Labajo emphasized his mission to shepherd the people of God in the new diocese, as mandated by Pope Francis. Agusan del Sur Governor Santiago Cane Jr. welcomed Labajo at the press conference, highlighting the cooperative relationship between the provincial government and the diocese. Cane stressed that while the government cannot fund religious activities, both entities serve the same community. He also acknowledged the Diocese of Butuan for its past support to the faithful in Agusan del Sur.
