PB okays renaming Mandaue-Mactan bridge after Serging

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Provincial Board has approved a resolution endorsing the proposal of Cordova Mayor Adelino Sitoy to name the Mactan-Mandaue bridge as Sergio Osmeña bridge.

Board member Jose Ribomapil Holganza Jr. stressed the importance of naming the bridge in honor of the late governor of Cebu who proposed the creation of the bridge to link Mandaue and Mactan.

Sitoy was also invited to speak during the session yesterday where he explained the huge contribution of Serging Osmeña Jr. to the whole province. Sitoy said that a similar resolution was submitted in the 1970’s but it was to name the bridge the Mandaue-Opon bridge.

He pointed out that with Opon renamed as Lapu-Lapu City, it is high time to give credit to the person responsible for linking Mandaue and Cebu to the nearby island thus, the need to supersede the former resolution submitted in the Sannguniang Panlalawigan.

Sitoy shared that when Osmeña brought up the idea of creating the bridge, a lot of people brushed it off and even laughing at it because of its improbability.

“Everybody laughed at him. But then the idea was realized. Eventually another bridge was made,” Sitoy said.

Sitoy said that with the second bridge being named after the late Chief Justice and Senate President Marcelo Fernan there is no reason why the Mandaue-Mactan bridge could be named after Osmeña.

Sitoy, along with the board, agreed though that since the Provincial Board does not have jurisdiction with Lapu-Lapu which is a lone district, the renaming of the bridge would only be identified within the province unless the Lapu-Lapu will also push for the same resolution.

Apart from hoping that Lapu-Lapu will have a similar resolution, approval of the resolution also includes requesting all seven legislators of Cebu in the House of Representatives to sponsor a bill on renaming the bridge.

The late Sergio “Serging” Osmeña Jr. is the father of incumbent Cebu City South District Representative Tomas Osmeña.  (FREEMAN)