Misamis occidental: The provincial government of Misamis Occidental welcomed a delegation of Catholic bishops on Tuesday with a tour of its historic religious landmarks. In a statement, Gov. Henry Oaminal Sr. said the visit by members of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), along with a guest from Vatican City, was an opportunity to showcase the province's rich heritage and tourism potential.

According to Philippines News Agency, the journey began at the Cotta Shrine in Ozamiz City, where the delegation prayed before the revered Birhen sa Cotta and learned about the shrine's historical significance. The shrine, also known as Nuestra Se±ora de la Inmaculada Concepci³n y del Triunfo de la Cruz, was originally a fort built in 1755 by Spanish Jesuit priest Fr. Jose Ducos, serving as a military stronghold against pirate attacks.

The tour continued to the San Juan Bautista Parish Church in Jimenez town, established by the Augustinian Recollects in 1829. The present hewn coral-stone structure, erected between 1862 and 1880 under Fr. Roque Azcona, was declared a National Cultural Treasure in 2001.

The CBCP held its 132nd Plenary Assembly in Ozamiz City, featuring Daniel Donini, Asia-Oceania Regional Expert of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, as a resource speaker. Donini led a session on safeguarding minors, emphasizing the Vatican's commitment to protecting children and promoting a culture of care and accountability.

In recent developments, efforts to combat online sexual abuse and exploitation of children in the province have intensified. The Regional Development Council in Northern Mindanao reported zero incidents in the first half of 2026, attributed to effective law enforcement operations and interventions.