Talisay councilor: Renaming of street goes against local government code

CEBU, Philippines - Talisay City Councilor Romeo Villarante yesterday said the approval of the committee report which recommends the renaming of a street violates the Local Government Code.

“We strongly support the naming of the street after the late Congressman Bacaltos tungod sa iyang nabuhat being a leader sa anti-Marcos movement. Gidali-dali lang nila sa administration,” said Villarante, adding that it was not even in line with the provisions of the Local Government Code.

Villarante said that although a local government unit has the right to name a street after any person, such move must have the prior approval of the National Historical Commission (NHC).

He said he does not want the present council to get entangled with the law, especially that he is part of it.

Villarante’s position was also echoed by Councilor Danny Caballero who cited Section 13, Chapter 2 of the national law which states that “The sangguniang panlalawigan may, in consultation with the Philippine Historical Commission (PHC), change the name of component cities and municipalities, provincial roads…” but only “upon the recommendation of the sanggunian concerned.”

Caballero said the residents in the area and even the legislators themselves should be given “ample time” to study this move to change the name of a street.

The committee report, which was submitted by Councilor Choy Aznar in his capacity as chairman of the committee on laws, has given its nod to the proposed ordinance of Councilor Eduardo Gullas III naming the street which traverses barangays Lawaan 1 and II, Mohon and Pooc as Congressman Antonio Bacaltos Sr. Street.

Villarante and Caballero said the council should not railroad the approval of the proposal considering that it was filed just last week.

They also claimed the road was already named after Congressman Maximino Noel.

With the speedy action of the council on the proposal, Villarante said he believes the motive behind it is for the administration to gain the support of the Bacaltos clan, especially that the election is near.

He said the administration is keen on getting the Bacaltoses especially that it has been known in the past elections that they are with the opposition.

Former Provincial Board Raul Bacaltos and his sister former Dehlia Tiu were both candidates of the opposition party in the 2010 elections.

“Among gibati nga pamulitika ni aron pagkabig sa mga supporters,” Villarante said.

Before the committee report was approved by the council, Villarante, who believes that the road is owned by the province, suggested that they should also get the opinion of the city legal officer to clear things out.

But Aznar, who presented his report to the council yesterday, said there was no illegality in approving his report, as the road in question is owned by the city government.

Aznar said before they approved it, there was already a consultation made.

For his part, Councilor Dennis Basillote of the administration bloc said they can go ahead passing the committee report and the ordinance later on.