The “Number Streets” in Brgy. Hipodromo
The Cebu City Council on December 14, 1967 on motion of Councilor Raymundo A. Crystal seconded by Councilor John Henry Osmeña (later appointed as city mayor, congressman, senator and mayor of Toledo City, Cebu) enacted City Ordinance No. 602.
The ordinance named the formerly unnamed streets in Barangay Hipodromo which was then a newly-recognized barrio of Cebu City. Hipodromo which was subdivided into residential lots resulted in the composition of many streets which were unnamed and registered with the City's Planning Board. The land was 12 hectares large, it was Mayor Sergio "Serging" Chiong Veloso Osmeña Jr. that ordered the subdivision of the lot.
At that time, Barrio Hipodromo was already thickly populated and the unnamed streets caused confusion with postmen finding difficultly in locating the addresses of its residents.
Aside from the "Number Streets" (First Street to Twenty-Third Street), an exception is the Real Street, South Street and North Street. The "Real Street" starts from M.J. Cuenco Avenue, and running to the north, thence, turn left in west and north direction, then toward the east running to the south to form oval and to terminate back at the M.J. Cuenco Avenue.
The "First Street" starts from Real Street in the West, running toward the east, and to terminate at the east side of Real Street. Interestingly, there are no Second, Sixth, Eighth, Tenth, Twelve and Fourteenth Streets.
The "South Street" starts at the south side at the middle of First Street, running toward the north, passing through the Third, Fifth, Seventh and Ninth Streets and to terminate at the south side of the boundary of the Hipodromo Elementary School site.
The "North Street" starts from the south side at the middle of Seventeenth Street, running toward the north, passing through the Nineteenth, Twenty-First and Twenty-Third Streets, and to terminate at the north side of Real Street.
"Thirteenth Street" starts from the boundary of the Hipodromo Elementary School site in the east side, about 10 meters to the north from Eleventh Street, running toward the east direction, and to terminate at Real Street.
The last Number Street is the "Twenty-Third Street", it starts from Real Street in the west side, about 10 meters to the north from Twenty-First Street running toward the east, passing through the North Street, and to end at the east side of Real Street.
Barangay Hipodromo is enclosed by an oval shape road. Its name "Hippo" means horse, as it was used as a race track during the American Occupation.
There are new street names in the Barangay but no records of city ordinances prove that these street names were renamed by the city council. The "Number Streets" could only be renamed or changed through a city ordinance.
The City Council that approved City Ordinance No. 602 was composed of Florencio S. Urot, Presiding Officer, with Raymundo A. Crsytal as President Pro Tempore, Eulogio E. Borres was its Majority Floor Leader. The members were: John H. Osmeña, Mario R. Veloso, Ronald R. Duterte, Bienvenido B. Tudtud, Benjamin C. Llanos and Jose L. Rodriguez.
The Council's Secretary was Atty. Leodegario C. Salazar while the City Mayor was Atty. Carlos J. Cuizon.
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