Vatican City, 24 May 2016 – The Holy Father has appointed Bishop Patricio A. Buzon, S.D.B., of Kabankalan, Philippines, as bishop of Bacolod (area 2,019, population 1,396,318, Catholics 1,089,128, priests 161, religious 345), Philippines. He succeeds Bishop Vicente M. Navarra, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese upon reaching the age limit was accepted by the Holy Father.