MPIO issues apology over misleading Facebook post about Sta. Ana Shrine
National Shrine of Our Lady of the Abandoned in Sta. Ana Manila (Photo courtesy of the National Museum)
The Manila Public Information Office (MPIO) has issued an official apology to the administration and parishioners of the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Abandoned in Sta. Ana, Manila, following a social media post that implied the city government was responsible for renovations made to the historic church.
In a Facebook post titled "First 100 Days Recap," published on Oct. 8, MPIO included an item labeled “Pagsasaayos ng (Renovation of) Sta. Ana National Shrine,” which sparked concern and confusion among parishioners and members of the public.
Church officials responded by clarifying that the local government, including Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, had no involvement in the recent retrofitting or restoration works at the Shrine.
In an official letter addressed to Rev. Fr. Del Mundo of the Sta. Ana Shrine, the MPIO, acknowledged the error:
“We acknowledge that the inclusion of the item 'Pagsasaayos ng Sta. Ana National Shrine' in the said post was an error on our part. This entry was not mentioned in the speech of Manila City Mayor Francisco 'Isko Moreno' Domagoso, nor did he ever claim that the City Government of Manila funded the Sta. Ana National Shrine’s retrofitting.”
The office further clarified that Domagoso’s statements during his First 100 Days address referred solely to the proposed redevelopment of Plaza Calderon, the public space fronting the Shrine, and not to any internal or structural work within the church itself.
“Para ang pagpasok ng tao, ang makikita niya ay ang makasaysayang simbahan ng Santa Ana. ’Yan ang yaman ng Santa Ana. We will take care of it. We will redefine it and make it more appealing (So that when people enter, what they will see is the historic church of Santa Ana. That is the treasure of Santa Ana. We will take care of it. We will redefine it and make it more appealing).”
In closing, the MPIO expressed its regret over the confusion and affirmed its commitment to accurate and respectful reporting moving forward:
“We hold in the highest regard the historical and spiritual significance of the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Abandoned and remain committed to ensuring accurate, transparent, and respectful communication, especially concerning heritage and religious sites.”
The office also thanked the parish for its continued dedication to preserving Manila’s cultural and spiritual heritage and vowed to remain a partner in such efforts.