Pangasinan town approves official prayer

BINALONAN, Pangasinan, Philippines – Towns, cities and provinces have their official hymns but this town went beyond it by passing an ordinance for its official prayer that should be recited in any public function.

Municipal Ordinance 2014-10, recently passed in support to the town’s “Go Maka Diyos program,” mandates that the common prayer be recited during public programs and occasions.

Councilor Alberto Espiritu Jr., who authored the ordinance, said the measure was enacted to instill the “inclusive culture of prayerfulness” in the municipality.

The prayer, written in English, shall be recited orally, although variations like singing, audio accompaniment, and audio-visual presentation, can be allowed only through consultation with the church group convened for the purpose and with the approval of the municipal council.

Sixth district board member Alfonso Bince Jr., the longest serving board member in Pangasinan since 1969, said it is quite unique for such an ordinance forwarded to the provincial board for final approval.

“Most towns, cities and provinces have their respective official hymns, but Binalonan perhaps wants to instill the deeper value of spirituality to its people by adopting its official municipal prayer,” Bince said.