Saint Michael the Archangel Parish

CAMILING SAINT MICHAEL CHURCH RECONSTRUCTION COUNCIL

Ay-ayatemmi nga Cailian,

Greetings from Camiling!

The St. Michael the Archangel Parish Church in our beloved town was destroyed by fire ten years ago. We are aware that just like us, you have fond memories of our church. Immediately after that unfortunate incident, there were attempts to reconstruct it. Perhaps you have heard about these efforts or you might have been asked to help or even contributed already. But to our dismay and heartache, these efforts did not succeed in rebuilding the church we all love. The most that was clone was the installation of the trusses. Many of us never gave up the wish that someday God will show us the way. We know that deep in their hearts all Camileños share this dream.

In June 2006, Rev. Fr. Macario S. Ramos Jr. was assigned as the new parish priest. His term is for six years. So again, we brought out the idea of rebuilding the church. Fr. Ramos readily agreed to spearhead the project. So an Executive Committee was convened and Working Committees were organized. A master plan has been drawn and the timetable is two years.

The immediate problem is where to get the money to start . Among several options is the identification by the Executive Committee of 300 families/individuals who can give at least P50,000.00 within three months. This core group shall be called Camiling Club 300, and their contribution shall be used to start the reconstruction work.

“Cailian,” you have been unanimously named in the Camiling Club 300.

Your donations will be properly acknowledged with official receipt by the Finance Committee which shall give detailed report of receipts and disbursements during regular monthly meetings. We assure you and all other donors that every centavo given for the reconstruction shall be spent in the reconstruction. We appeal to your Camileño spirit. Please invite others to help.

Through the intercession of St. Michael the Archangel , may you and your loved ones enjoy the best of health and happiness for sharing your blessings in the reconstruction of our church. In the service of the Lord, thank you for your support.

- The Executive Committee

1. Where did the money raised in the past for the reconstruction of the burned Church go?

Dr. Bueno Gapultos, Past President of the Parish Pastoral Council (1994-1995) related that just after the 1990 earthquake which damaged the façade of the Church, funds were raised. Moreover, the Philippine Tourism Authority also gave a grant of P 3M. The Church façade was refurbished , but this was destroyed by the 1997 fire.

After the fire, solicitations and fund raising activities were conducted and donations were accepted by the Parish Pastoral Council spearheaded by then Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Regidor Carreon with the concerned supervision of Msgr. Francisco Tanedo. Almost P 4M were raised and construction was started until the foundations were laid and the trusses installed. Unfortunately, the funds raised were not sufficient, hence the construction stopped in 2000.

2. What is the assurance that the donations will be safeguarded?

The assurance lies on the fact that no one among the members of the Executive Committee and Working Committees holds any centavo from the donations. All donations are deposited specified banks. Financial transactions are done through checks which are issued only through appropriate and approved resolutions signed by three signatories: Rev. Fr. Macario S. Ramos Jr., Parish Priest; Sir Alfonso L. Qui, Chairman of Reconstruction Council; and Dr. Philip B. Ibarra, Vice-Chair of the same Council. These are renowned and well-respected personalities in Camiling who oversee the overall operation from the collection of funds to actual reconstruction of the Church until its completion.

The finances are supervised by two of the known and most able bankers in town, Mr. Roberto R. Ibarra who is the General Manager of Camiling Rural Bank, and Mr. Efren Dumaual, Branch Manager of PNB Dagupan. Audit is performed every quarter by certified public accountants led by Mr. Felipe B. Valdez Jr.

3. When will the reconstruction take off?

The total reconstruction cost is projected at P 60 M, and to jumpstart the project, the Council has to raise at least P 10 M. This is why we have established the Camiling Club 300, which comprises of 300 individuals or families who are bona fide Camilenos, to pitch in P 50,000 each in three months. That would hopefully accumulate P 15 M. The Engineering Committee, headed by Engr. Federico Malinit, is working overtime and pouring all its resources and efforts so the reconstruction would start earlier. As of March 18, 2007 the fund raised for the reconstruction stands at P 2,998,118.22.