In the Philippines, Adventists Partner with Ormoc Fire Station, Coast Guard for Mental and Spiritual Outreach

Two government agencies in Ormoc City, Philippines have recently launched initiatives to strengthen the mental and spiritual well-being of their personnel through lectures and interactive sessions led by Pastor Ricardo De Asis Jr. of the Ormoc Seventh-day Adventist Church.

The Ormoc City Fire Station conducted a six-day “Call of Duty” program from Sept. 1 to 6, 2025, under the leadership of Acting City Fire Marshal FSINSP Vic Leonel L. Macasil and Deputy City Fire Marshal FINSP Jasper M. Opada. The initiative, coordinated with Pastor Ricardo De Asis, sought to promote healthier work-life balance and provide personnel with tools to handle stress while maintaining focus on their public service.

Similarly, the Coast Guard District Eastern Visayas (CGDEV) hosted a five-day Mental and Spiritual Health Awareness Lecture that concluded on Aug. 15, 2025, at its headquarters in Ormoc City. The event was also facilitated by De Asis and emphasized coping strategies for stress, anxiety, and depression, which are common challenges faced by coast guard personnel working in high-risk situations.

Topics included “Stress: The Silent Killer,” “Depression: The Happiness Stealer,” and “Anxiety: The Future Destroyer.” Other sessions highlighted “Vitamins for the Soul and Bone” and the “Principle of Longevity,” offering holistic approaches to maintaining mental, emotional, and spiritual health.

De Asis said his goal was to share practical strategies rooted in faith and positive lifestyle habits. He noted that many participants later expressed interest in Bible study and spiritual follow-up. “The light that we carry should continue to shine in every corner of the city, in every institution, and in every movement of the city. No walls, no boundary, no limits,” De Asis said.

The outreach also reached other uniformed groups, including the Philippine National Police, Infantry Brigade, and Bureau of Fire Protection personnel, ensuring that all groups had the opportunity to attend. Beyond lectures, De Asis also organized wellness activities such as fun runs to promote healthy living.

He credited the Adventist World Radio (AWR) for its support in expanding ministry to government units and professional sectors, saying the effort reflects Christ’s method of reaching people by meeting their needs first. “We must learn to speak their language, understand their cultures, and know their beliefs,” he said. “Christ’s method alone is the most effective.”

Both programs underscored the growing collaboration between faith-based organizations and government institutions in addressing the mental, emotional, and spiritual needs of public servants. For many in Ormoc’s uniformed services, the sessions offered a renewed sense of purpose in serving God, country, and community.

The original article was published in the Central Philippine Union Conference website.