Acacia residents oppose renaming of street

CEBU, Philippines – Some residents of the former Acacia Street in Barangay Camputhaw have appealed to the Cebu City Council to reconsider its decision to rename the old street in honor of former sports columnist Manuel Oyson Jr.

Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young told The FREEMAN that he received letters from the concerned residents of the former Acacia Street complaining they were not consulted when the matter was being deliberated at the City Council.

One of the residents, Bettina Michael Unchuan, has even attached in her letter the signatures of her neighbors who strongly opposed the renaming of their street to Manuel Oyson Jr. Street.

"We were surprised and saddened with the City Council's decision with regards to the above subject concern. Isn't it but common courtesy and morally proper for the residents of Acacia Street to be consulted or notified beforehand," said Unchuan.

"We have had this street name, which we have grown to love very dearly for more than 50 years now, hence, we feel very strongly about this. Additionally Acacia Street has already become a nationally and globally-known business and institutional address," she added. The Cebu City Council, a few days ago, had passed an ordinance renaming the Acacia Street after the deceased sports columnist while members of Cebu media are celebrating the 16th Cebu Press Freedom Week, which culminates today.

It was north district councilor Edgardo Labella who proposed the renaming of the street in honor of Oyson, who was acknowledged as the "dean of Cebu's sports writers."

The records show that Oyson had worked as sports reporter for the defunct Morning Times, Daily News and Republic Daily in the 1950s before he joined Sun Star Daily. He also wrote stories for the Philippines News Agency.

The Cebu Citizens' Press Council and the Cebu News Workers' Foundation had earlier requested the City Council to name a street after the deceased sports columnist. (FREEMAN)