Ordinance sets guidelines for naming streets, places

CEBU, Philippines - An ordinance that would set guidelines for the naming and renaming of public places, streets and structures in Cebu is being proposed in the Provincial Board.

The proposed ordinance, sponsored by Board Member Miguel Antonio Magpale, provides that “indigenous” names of roads, streets, barangays and other places should be preserved if the name is unique to the place.

The use of Visayan words is encouraged in the naming or renaming of streets, plazas and other public places.

However, schools, hospitals and other public structures named after the province or municipality are considered “appropriately named and, therefore, shall not be renamed.”

The old name of streets, schools, hospitals which have been “sanctified” by usage by the residents of the community should be placed underneath the new name in the signage.

This is to facilitate the delivery of postal matters and serve as direct guide for people accustomed to the former names, the proposed ordinance said.

Guidelines in naming and renaming after the persons, among others, include the provision that public places such as those already named after the presidents, national heroes cannot be replaced with names of people of “lesser importance”

“For example places named after the national heroes cannot be renamed after local heroes; places named after presidents cannot be renamed after senators,” it stated.

Public places may be named or renamed to honor a person or family who contributed to the welfare of the Filipino people.

No local government units, institutions, places or building should be named or renamed after a living person.

“Honorific” titles such as “Don” and “Doña” should be deleted in naming or renaming public places “for aesthetical and practical” reason.

To maintain historical significance, present name of public place that has attained a degree of historical association and has developed an importance should be retained.

Further, “no street or road should be renamed if it is one of complex of related street names in one district and renaming one of them would destroy aesthetic unity. No portion of a street or road may be renamed if it would tend to disrupt the continuity of its present name.”

During the celebration of the Cebu Press Freedom Week last month, roads in Argao town were named after deceased journalists Wilfredo A. Veloso, Cerge M. Remonde and Clodualdo K. Bajenting. – (FREEMAN)