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Opinion

Escolastico Labos Street, Cebu City

CEBUPEDIA - Clarence Paul Oaminal - The Freeman

It is the formerly unnamed road starting from R. Duterte Street just beyond the bridge that leads to the Banawa Elementary School. The honoree, Escolastico Labos, when he died in 1947 was dubbed by the Manila Times as an "engineering Wizard".

Escolastico was a self-made man, starting as carpenter in the Cebu District Engineer's Office during the early part of the American Regime. He was eventually promoted as construction foreman. He was responsible for the construction of several bridges and public buildings in Cebu.

The Atlantic Gulf and Pacific Co. (AG&P), noticing his extraordinary engineering skill, contracted him for the construction of Piers 1,2, and 3 of Cebu City. He was also responsible for the construction of the wharves in Samar, Leyte and other ports of the Visayas and Mindanao.

He was also employed as General Foreman of the Philippine Iron Mines, and he was instrumental in the employment of many Cebuanos under his supervision.

His significant achievements were the construction of Ayala, McArthur and Quezon Bridges. Ironically, the man responsible for the gigantic works did not even have a formal education but learned through self-study, diligence and hard work.

The Cebu City Council on motion of Councilor Arturo Abellana on Sept. 26, 1977 enacted City Ordinance No. 981 naming a street in honor of man worthy of example to emulate.

The Cebu City Council was then composed of the following: Eulogio E. Borres, Presiding Officer; Ronald R. Duterte, Pro Tempore; Bienvenido Tudtud, Floor Leader and Emilio Jaca as Assistant Floor Leader. The Council Members: Edgar Abelgas, Pablo U. Abella, Arturo Abellana, Emilio Alcoseba, Jose V. Cuenco, Jesus S. Gabuya, Maximino Lazarte, Guadalupe Mansueto, Telesforo Rabaya, Fernando Rama, Franklin Seno, Emeterio Supapo, Mario R. Veloso and Bernardo S. Zamora.

AMERICAN REGIME

ARTURO ABELLANA

ASSISTANT FLOOR LEADER

ATLANTIC GULF AND PACIFIC CO

BANAWA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

BIENVENIDO TUDTUD

CEBU CITY

CEBU CITY COUNCIL

CEBU DISTRICT ENGINEER

CITY ORDINANCE NO

COUNCIL MEMBERS

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