Governor Lilia G. Pineda and former president now second district Rep. Gloria MacapagalArroyo graced the blessing today of the new chapel of the Pampanga Police Provincial Office (PPO) inside the capitol compound in the City of San Fernando.
The two local officials led in the ribbon cutting ceremonies of the chapel assisted by PCSupt. Arturo G. Cacdac, Jr., regional director of the Police Regional Office 3 (PRO 3).
Archbishop Paciano B. Aniceto of the Archdiocese of San Fernando officiated in the blessing rites assisted by Rev. Msgr. Eugenio Mercado, Jr., of the Parish of Our Lady of Lourdes in Angeles City and PSupt. Eligio A. Mativo, regional chaplain of PR03.
Called the St. Michael the Archangel Chapel, its construction started in February 2008 as a brainchild of then PSSupt. Keith Ernald Singian.
The idea for the building of a chapel, according to P03 Edwin Prado, came out of the first Friday masses being held regularly to “further enhance the spiritual nourishment” of the PPO staff. The funding for the construction of the chapel, he said, came from the Philippine National Police (PNP), various local government units (LGUs), and real estate developer Delfin Lee of Globe Asiatique, who was also one of the guests during the blessing.
Msgr. Mercado thanked the donors, guests and supporters responsible for the chapel’s completion and in particular, Gov. Pineda and Rep. Arroyo, who he said “have always been supportive ofthe PNP”.
It will be recalled that Pineda and some businessmen-friends recently donated six patrol cars and 12 motorcycles for the use of the PPO. For the chapel, it was learned from P03 Cheryl Gubatan that the governor shall donate images of the Mother of Perpetual Help and Our Lady of Lourdes and shall see to the completion of the tabernacle. Arroyo, on the other hand, shall donate a statue of St. Michael the Archangel.
Mercado, who is regarded as a spiritual adviser to the PPO, also mentioned plans to add novena-masses to Our Mother of Perpetual Help every Wednesday, in addition to the first Friday masses at the chapel. Other plans in the long-term include the offering of such services as baptism, confirmation, and even weddings which the PPO personnel look forward to and also to eventually serve surrounding communities.
P02 Cherry Mateo also said that the PPO chapel is the best provincial police chapel built, so far. She added that the hall which adjoins the chapel will make an ideal area for receptions after weddings, baptism and the like.
The Pampanga PPO personnel expressed enthusiasm for the additional value that the chapel and its services would give to their professional and personal enhancement.
(Pampanga PIO)
