New Tagbilaran bishop urges Boholanos

to protect environment as province grows

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA)—Newly installed Tagbilaran Bishop Crispin B. Varquez urged Boholanos on Oct. 27 to care for the province’s natural resources and pursue growth that respects its workers, culture and identity.

Varquez was installed as the eight bishop of the Diocese of Tagbilaran during a Mass at St. Joseph the Worker Cathedral Shrine in Tagbilaran City.

“Let tourism respect our environment. Let economic growth protect the dignity of our workers and the local community,” Varquez said in his message after the installation.

He said economic growth must include the well-being of workers and local communities, including support for the next generation of farmers to keep agriculture competitive.

He said tourism depends on the efforts of all sectors, not only tourists and business owners.

Varquez asked the clergy and the faithful to stay open to dialogue and listen to one another, saying a bishop cannot face the challenges ahead alone.

“Kon naa moy maayo nga idea, sultihi ko. Kon naa moy ikasaway nako, sultihi pod ko kay dili ko masuko. Open ko, aron mahimong maayo ang atong pag-journey isip usa ka local Church sa Diocese of Tagbilaran … Ang mga hagit sa unahan dili nako kaya kon ako ra. Pari, religious, lay, please tabangi ko ninyo nga dili ko mag-inusara,” he said.

(If you have good ideas, tell me. If you have any criticisms, tell me too. I won’t take offense. I am open, so that our journey as a local Church in the Diocese of Tagbilaran will go well… I cannot face the challenges ahead alone. Priests, religious and lay people, please help me so I do not walk alone).

Cardinal Jose Advincula Jr., archbishop of Manila, led the installation rites, joined by Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Charles Brown, Cebu Archbishop Alberto Uy; and other bishops.

Return to his home diocese

Varquez returns to Bohol after nearly 19 years as bishop of Borongan in Eastern Samar.

A native of Sevilla, Bohol, Varquez was born December 5, 1960, and ordained a priest for the Diocese of Tagbilaran on April 14, 1989.

He later served as a seminary formator and vicar general of the diocese.

Pope Benedict XVI appointed him bishop of Borongan in August 2007. He was ordained bishop on Oct. 18, 2007, and installed in Borongan on Nov. 8, 2007.

“To the Diocese of Tagbilaran, my diocese of origin. Please allow me to journey with you. Allow me to walk with you. And most of all, allow me to love you. With humble and grateful heart, I accept this new ministry,” Varquez said.

“Pero kahibaw ko, wala akoy igong katakos nga ipaambit kaninyo. Ako lamang ihalad akong kaugalingon sa tumang pagpaubos ug diha sa kayano sa kinabuhi (But I know I do not have enough ability to share with you. I simply offer myself, with the utmost humility and in the simplicity of life),” he said. (ECB/PIA7-Bohol)

October 27, 2026, marked a significant and historic milestone in the life of the Diocese of Tagbilaran, as it welcomed back one of its own sons, Most Rev. Crispin “Bai” B. Varquez, as the 8th Bishop of Tagbilaran. (ECB/PIA7-Bohol)