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The City Peace and Order Council City Awards Committee in Ormoc City, through the Philippine National Police (PNP) Ormoc City Headquarters, awarded the Seventh-Day Adventist (SDA) Faith-Based Group as the "Best Performing Force Multiplier" during the prestigious Pagsaludo 2025 Awards and Rewards Program Night.

The commendation was officially conferred during a ceremony held on July 1, 2025, in Ormoc City, Leyte, at an event organized by the City Peace and Order Council and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

The plaque of commendation acknowledges the SDA Faith-Based Group's "exemplary accomplishments and for having efficiently performed their duties contributing to the government's thrust in ensuring a solid foundation for peace, security, public order, and safety in the city of Ormoc."

Pastor Ricardo de Asis, the church pastor of Ormoc SDA Church, who spearheads this distinguished SDA Faith-Based Group, expressed gratitude to the PNP Ormoc City Headquarters for recognizing their contributions.

His advocacy for the "Elite Ministry in Urban Places," which began during the pandemic, has garnered significant recognition. Since then, he has successfully reached various government institutions, schools, universities, police and military organizations, and coast guard offices, promoting the message of sound mental health.

He became the "life coach" and a regular lecturer at these elite institutions, conveying the message of salvation through a holistic approach that emphasized mental health.

In an interview, De Asis shared his thoughts on this another milestone God has granted to His faithful laborers in the work and marketplaces.

"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 boundaries, no limits. The light must shine. In everything, the light must shine," he said. "And this Pagsaludo Award is a testimony that the light shines even in the arena of the elites."

He quoted Matthew 5: 14-15, which says. "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house."

The Pagsaludo Awards, a program of the DILG, aim to acknowledge outstanding efforts and contributions from various sectors in upholding peace, order, and public safety within communities.

The recognition of the Seventh-Day Adventist Faith-Based Group highlights the invaluable role that faith-based organizations play in supporting government initiatives and promoting a secure and harmonious environment.

The SDA Church, through its various ministries and organizations such as the Adventist Community Services (ACS) and the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), is known for its wide-ranging humanitarian and community development efforts, often collaborating with local governments to address societal needs.