USJ-R HS alumni: Name flyover after scoutmaster

CEBU, Philippines - The high school alumni of the University of San Jose-Recoletos have launched a signature campaign that urges Cebu City officials to name the newly-opened flyover in barangay Mambaling after the late scoutmaster Sergio Damazo.

USJ-R alumnus and lawyer Paul Oaminal, former Dangerous Drugs Board undersecretary, said the alumni consider Damazo a "scouting icon" not only in the Visayas but also in Mindanao.

Damazo, who was known as "Sir Damazo," served as USJ-R's scoutmaster for several years until his death in May 2009.

Oaminal, who is the current president of the USJ-R High School Alumni Association, explained that the naming of the newly-opened flyover after the late scoutmaster "would remind the people of the values of scouting, primarily the sense of punctuality and discipline."

"These are necessary values to keep the youth from drugs and violence. There are important values that should be taught among the youth and even to our public officials to be always on time and always be ready," Oaminal said.

If it happened, Oaminal said it would be the first time that a flyover is named after a person, since normally, only streets and bridges take the names of "great men."

Oaminal's group chose the controversial flyover to make it a "constant reminder" to people who pass there that scouting is "the foundation of leadership and of the virtues" left behind by Damazo.

According to Oaminal, the signatures will be forwarded to the Cebu City council.

He said the council, if it agrees, may decide on it right away or wait for the fifth death anniversary of Damazo, as dictated by law.

Oaminal said he is set to ask the support of the Boys Scout of the Philippines and former Rep. Antonio Cuenco (Cebu City, south), who provided the funds for the flyover's construction.