Cardinal Quevedo to be feted with order of Lam-ang in Laoag 

New cardinal and Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Quevedo may soon be conferred the Order of Lam-ang from Laoag City in Ilocos Norte, after the city council approved a resolution for it on early last week.

The city council approved on second and final reading a resolution granting Quevedo the award, Bombo Radyo reported.

Councilor Joseph Tamayo, the resolution's sponsor, said it was fitting that Quevedo, who hails from Laoag, be given the award because he brought honor to the Philippines.

The Order of Lam-Ang is the highest award the city confers to anyone who gives it honor.

It was not immediately clear when Quevedo will be conferred the award.

Earlier this month, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines said Quevedo was invited to spend the end of March visiting his roots in Ilocos Norte province.

The CBCP cited a circular issued by Laoag Bishop Renato Mayugba where Quevedo is to be honored by the Diocese of Laoag for being elevated to the College of Cardinals by Pope Francis last month.

"Cardinal Quevedo was born in Laoag City on March 11, 1939. After finishing his third grade in Laoag, the Quevedo family transferred to Marbel, South Cotabato. In 1956, he entered the Novitiate of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI)," the CBCP said.

Quevedo was ordained on June 5, 1964 in Washington D.C., and was ordained Kidapawan bishop on Oct. 28, 1980.

The CBCP said Quevedo is expected to arrive in Laoag City on March 29, and will say Mass at the St. William’s Cathedral at 10:30 a.m. of March 30.

Quevedo will then head for Sarrat town, where he was born, for a special reception prepared by the diocese.

Sarrat is also the hometown of the family of the late former President Ferdinand Marcos. — LBG/TJD, GMA News