Street in Talisay now called "Cong. Antonio Bacaltos Jr."

CEBU, Philippines - The main 1,700-meter street of barangays Lawaan 1 and II, Mohon, and Pooc will now be called “Congressman Antonio Bacaltos Sr. Street.” 

This after the Talisay City Council approved the proposed ordinance authored by Councilor Eduardo Gullas III acknowledged Bacaltos as someone “who left a legacy of noble public service” and “ought to be remembered and honored.”

But the naming of the street was not approved immediately.

It had been pending for four months since the opposition bloc questioned the timing of the approval of the ordinance, saying the motive behind it was for the administration to gain the support of the Bacaltos clan, especially that the election is just nine months away. 

The late Bacaltos belonged to a prominent political clan in barangay San Isidro.

He was a Constitutional Convention delegate from 1971 to 1972 and a Congressman in 1981 to 1992.

Bacaltos, who was also a lawyer, served as vice mayor of Talisay from 1960 to 1963 before being nominated as a Constitutional Convention delegate representing the third district of Cebu and vice chairman of the Committee on Judicial Power from 1971 to 1972.

He was also elected as a representative of the first district from 1987 to 1992.

Talisay City opposition Councilor Romeo Villarante, although he did not oppose the renaming of the street, said the ordinance did not pass through public hearing. 

“I am not against this ordinance because we believe that every Talisaynon who has served Talisay unselfishly, specially Toñing Bacaltos who has been a champion in the fight against Marcos dictatorship, we ought to honor him,” Villarante said. (FREEMAN)