The Mill Hill Missionaries in the Philippines are in the process of starting a new mission on Coron Island.  Coron is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Palawan, the Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 32,243 people in 6,264 households. The municipality covers part of Busuanga Island and all of the nearby Coron Island.  Both islands are part of the Calamian Group of Islands in northern Palawan. The main industries of Coron are fishing and tourism, being a popular diving location.

This new mission will be concentrated on tribal apostolate, especially to the Tagbanua people. The term Tagbanua - also spelled Tagbanwa and Tagbanuwa - may have been derived from taga meaning "people from" and "banua" meaning "countryside," and therefore means "people from the inland area". The Tagbanuas are the most widely distributed group on Palawan Island. They occupy areas in the northern, central, and southern parts of the island, particularly the eastern and the western coastal area, the near-coastal plains and the valleys of central Palawan. Their livelihood consists mainly of hunting and fishing.

The bishop wants Mill Hill to take care of the Tagbanuas: to help preserve their culture and to help them discover their sense of dignity and their place in the society.  Care and attention will also be given to the immigrants from the various parts of the Philippines who for various reasons reached Coron Island. The mission centre will most likely be located in Barangay Turda.  This village is central and has more access to other villages and islands that will comprise the proposed 'New Mission'.    Two of our Filipino Mill Hill Missionaries, Henry and Herman, are preparing to move there soon.  They will stay first in accommodation built next to the Barangay Chapel as negotiations are still going on for the acquisition of a bigger church plot.    Part of Busuanga Parish, which is in the next municipality,  will also be given as part of the new mission.

Back