House OKs bill naming street after Ouano clan

CEBU, Philippines — The House of Representatives approved on Monday the House Bill 7669 officially naming the 2.5-kilometer causeway traversing the reclamation area in Mandaue City as Ouano Avenue.

 In his committee report, Rep. Eleandro Jesus Madrona, chairperson of the House Committee on Public Works and Highways, recommended the approval of the bill for second and third reading.

 “The choice of this street is not by accident. The Mandaue Causeway is a major thoroughfare traversing the 180- hectare Special Economic Zone of Mandaue City, a landmark reclamation project championed by its visionary mayors, Alfredo Ouano and his son Thadeo Ouano, who are now both deceased. Without the reclamation project, the construction of the national road would not have been possible,” reads the bill sponsored by Deputy Speaker Pablo John Garcia.

Aside from Garcia, the bill was also supported by fellow Cebuano congressmen Raul del Mar (Cebu City North District), Rodrigo Abellanosa (Cebu City South District), Peter John Calderon (Seventh District), Eduardo Gullas (First District), Paz Radaza (Lapu-Lapu City Lone District), Wilfredo Caminero (Second District), Duke Frasco (Fifth District) and Ako Bisaya Rep. Sonny Lagon.

The road starts at the corner of S.B. Cabahug St. to the Tipolo Creek in Barangay Centro, then to the Mandaue Reclamation Area up to the bridge over the Mahiga Creek at the Cebu International Port.

The Ouano family started public service in Mandaue since the 19th century.

The list starts with the then consejales of Cabeza de barangay in 1900-1901: Alejo, Rafael, Arcadio, Agaton and Numeriano Ouano.

The other Ouanos are Francisco, served from 1909 to 1911; Ananiano (1900-1901, 1906 to 1907); Samson (1906) and Catalino (1908-1911).

After World War 2, municipal councilors Gerardo and Damian Ouano (1945-1946) and later, Mandaue City Mayors Alfredo Ouano (1998-1991; 1992-1998) and Thadeo Ouano (1998-2007).

Mayor Alfredo started as councilor (1956-1965) and vice mayor (1972-1986).

“He continued to steer Mandaue until its reclassification as a highly urbanized city in 1991. All of the Ouanos mentioned served the people of Mandaue for more than a century with utmost and unselfish dedication, sincerity, honesty, integrity, and devotion to duty,” the congressmen stated in the bill.

Cebu Sixth District Rep. Emmarie Ouano-Dizon, the granddaughter of Alfredo and daughter of Thadeo, thanked her fellow lawmakers for the honor given to her family.

Aside from Dizon, the other Ouanos who are still in public service include PB member Jonkie Ouano, Consolacion Councilor Alfie Ouano, Mandaue City Councilor Anjong Ouano Icalina, Barangay councilwoman Basilisa Ouano Icalina, Barangay councilwoman Irene Ouano; and Barangay councilwoman Fidelisa Ouano Cuizon. — FPL (FREEMAN)