Council lifts 5-year requirement in naming street, plaza, building

CEBU, Philippines - Streets, plazas and buildings can now be named after “deserving” individuals even just less than five years after their death.

In its regular session yesterday, the City Council approved the ordinance sponsored by Councilor Augustus Pe Jr., which amends the allowable period within which streets, plazas, or buildings can be named after an individual. 

The mother ordinance, which indicates the guidelines in the naming of streets, plazas, or buildings, required a period of at least five years before these places can be named after an individual.

The purpose of the five-year period is to give ample time for the study of the person’s background and/or achievement(s).

In passing the amendatory ordinance, Pe argued that the enthusiasm of the organization that honors a distinguished person by naming a street, plaza, or building after him/her has the potential to “cool off” if they would have to wait for a long time to be able to do so.

“However, the five-year reglamentary period may be waived upon the discretion of the Sangguniang Panglungsod of the City of Cebu,” Pe’s ordinance reads.

Councilor Arsenio Pacaña, head of the Council committee on cultural affairs, said it is about time that the mother ordinance be amended.

Pacaña cited as an example the late president Corazon Aquino whose background, according to him, needs no further study for her to deserve an edifice named in her honor. — Ferliza C. Contratista/JMO   (FREEMAN NEWS)