Congressional bill seeks to make Manaoag Shrine pilgrimage site

By Liezle Basa Inigo

MANAOAG, Pangasinan – Now that the Our Lady of the Rosary in Manaoag has been formally declared a Minor Basilica, a lady congressman here has asked the government to ensure the welfare and protection of the throngs of Catholic devotees and visitors who are expected to grow in numbers in the coming days.

Pangasinan Rep. Gina De Venecia said she has filed House Bill 4481that seeks to make the Shrine a pilgrimage site.

Congressman Manay Gina De Venecia said, since Our Lady of Rosary in Manaoag has been formally declared as  Minor Basilica, the government must do something to  take care of the welfare and protection of the throngs of Catholic devotees,who will continue to visit the Our Lady of Manaoag.

“Millions of pilgrims visit the Basilica every year with its number continuously growing as more witness the glory it brings to those who humble their hearts. The shrine also continues to entice visitors not just from our country but from the many parts of the world making it one of the most visited places in the Philippines,” she said.

She said the bill has already been approved by Committee on Tourism at the House of Representatives.

“ It is now at the Committee on Appropriations , for fund sourcing, Once it becomes a law, the Department of Tourism and its  attached  agencies in coordination with Department of Public Works and Highways and in consultation  with the local government of Manaoag, will come up with the comprehensive development  plan for the improvement of  Our Lady of ManaoagShrine,”De  Venecia  said.

De Venecia noted that Our Lady of Manaoag—the patroness of Manaoag town—is one of the most venerated Marian images in the country and is often called as the pilgrim center of the north and its feast is among the most highly celebrated events in the Philippines.

De Venecia said the glorious history of Our Lady of Manaoag can be traced back to the1600s when the image was brought to the Philippines by a Spanish priest named Padre Juan de San Jacinto.

Among the many miracles of the image, as cited by locals, was how the church was “protected” from being burned down by pillagers in the early days of Spanish colonization even as the entire town was set ablaze.

It is also said that during the Japanese attacks in World War II, a bomb fell directly at the sanctuary of the church but did not explode.

The holy water and oil from the shrine are prized for their supposed healing powers.