The year 2024 had witnessed a breathtaking surge of accomplishments for the PNP Chaplain Service (CHS), its three flagship programs soaring to unprecedented heights. Under the Spiritual Upliftment of the Organization (SUGO) and Ugnayan ng Simbahan at Pulisya (USAP) initiatives, the church building structure was transformed. The hallowed halls of St. Joseph Church in Camp BGen Rafael T Crame, Quezon City, underwent a magnificent renovation. Its interior, once veiled in shadows, now gleams with renewed splendor. Ceilings had been restored, pews and kneelers refurbished, acoustics enhanced, and light flooded spaces, illuminating intricately repainted images.
The church’s iconic dome, once vulnerable to the elements and annoying tiny predators, was meticulously repaired, its leaks sealed, cracks mended, and its corrugated metal roof, gutters, and downspouts restored to pristine and functional condition. A fresh coat of paint, as white as freshly fallen snow, completed the breathtaking metamorphosis. The surrounding grounds, once neglected, now bloom with vibrant new life, creating a haven of peace and quiet; welcoming warmth. The adjacent Adoration Chapel, too, received a loving restoration, becoming a sanctuary of tranquility and meditation.
This remarkable revival was orchestrated by a power couple: the PNP Officers Ladies Club (OLC), guided by the visionary Mrs. Mary Rose P. Marbil as its Adviser, and supported by CPNP, PGen Rommel Francisco D. Marbil. The newly restored St. Joseph Church-Camp Crame and its Adoration Chapel were consecrated in a moving ceremony by the CHS Acting Director PCol Jaime C. Seriña III, with CHS Command Group members, Acting Deputy Director PCol Julius B. Cruz, and Acting Chief of Staff PCol Joselito D. Borja, along with Base Catholic Chaplain PMaj Rhey J. Dollesin. The CPNP, his wife and the devout community of PNP faithful had witnessed this momentous ceremony during the First Day of Aguinaldo Mass on December 16, 2024. The logistical marvel behind these projects was expertly managed by PMaj Julius B. Dinsay, CHS BFO and Logistic Officer.
Two days later, on December 18, 2024, a new wonder had unfolded. Most Reverend Oscar Jaime L. Florencio, Bishop of the Military Ordinariate Philippines (MOP), assisted by CHS 4A Pastoral Officer PCol Heintje L. Cañete, blessed the breathtaking Saint Michael the Archangel Garden of Devotion at Camp BGen Vicente P. Lim, Calamba City, Laguna. This sacred space, born from the collaborative spirit of Police Regional Officer IV-A, PBGen Paul Kenneth T. Lucas, his wife Mrs. Mary June T. Lucas, OLC PRO IV-A Adviser, the St. Michael Community, and the PRO-CALABARZON personnel, stands as a testament to faith and community. Also, under CPNP PGen Marbil’s leadership also, the PNP Evangelical Worship Center also received a modern façade, a symbol of inclusivity, under the guidance of PMaj Fulgencio M. Cañon Jr., Chief, Evangelical Base.
In a crucible of crisis preparedness, the CHS PAGGABAY Program forged a new path. From November 26 to 28, 2024, a transformative three-day Crisis Care Training had ignited a fire of resilience to 68 PNP personnel (3 PCOs, 47 PNCOs, and 18 NUPs). Under the expert guidance of a well-regarded lecturer, Dr. Rev. Maria Theresita Escandor, a US Board Certified Chaplain and psychotherapist—a beacon of hope in the face of adversity—these brave men and women had been equipped with the crucial skills of psychological, stress, and spiritual first aid. This was not merely a training; it was an empowerment, a forging of inner strength to face any storm.
This training, initiated by CHS, was orchestrated by the CHS Advisory Group (led by the indomitable PBGen Yolanda T. Tanigue, (Ret) and supported by the visionary leadership of Atty. Lucas M. Managuelod, Chairman and CEO of PSSLAI, a steadfast champion of PNP and CHS, who had not only fortified mental health programs but also had nurtured a legacy of faith and resiliency, providing scholarships for professional family ministry diplomas in Ruben M Tanseco – Center for Family Ministries (RMT-CEFAM), Loyola School of Theology, Ateneo De Manila University since 2011. Truly, the past year’s resounding success stands as a testament to the unwavering dedication and collaborative spirit that defines CHS and its partners.
