Sta. Ana church denies city-funded renovation claim in Manila mayor's 100-day report
By Jel Santos
The National Shrine of Our Lady of the Abandoned in Santa Ana, Manila, has called on the city government to clarify a statement in Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso’s 100-day accomplishment report that cited the “Pagsasaayos ng (Repair of) Sta. Ana National Shrine,” saying no such project has been undertaken by the local government.
In a statement issued Friday night, Oct. 10, the church administration said it was “confused” by the inclusion of the supposed accomplishment in the mayor’s report, stressing that the ongoing roofing retrofitting inside the shrine is not funded by the city government.
“However, we are confused by an entry in the Mayor’s report for his first 100 days in office, specifically the accomplishment entitled ‘Pagsasaayos ng Sta. Ana National Shrine,’” the statement posted on the church’s official Facebook page read.
“As far as the church administration knows, the local government of Manila currently has no projects or activities related to the ‘Pagsasaayos ng Sta. Ana National Shrine.’”
The church clarified that the current renovation works are being carried out through private donations and support from parish benefactors.
“The current roofing retrofitting here in our church is funded by our generous benefactors and is NOT FUNDED BY THE CITY GOVERNMENT,” it stressed.
The national shrine also appealed to the local government to issue a clarification, noting that the claim in the 100-day report has caused confusion among parishioners and residents.
“We request that the City Government of Manila clarify the statement in our good Mayor’s 100-day accomplishment report related to our church, as it has caused confusion among our parishioners and the Manila constituents as a whole,” the statement continued.
The church added that it has long supported the city’s cultural and religious initiatives but reiterated the need for transparency and accuracy in public reports.
“The National Shrine of Our Lady of the Abandoned has been and will always be in alignment with the goals and aspirations of the City Government of Manila when it comes to cultural endeavors and safeguarding the free exercise of religion in the city,” it said.
The shrine administration said it looks forward to the city government’s clarification on the matter.