Ordinance for Naming, Renaming Public Spaces Proposed

Fifth District Provincial Board (PB) Member Miguel Antonio Magpale proposed an ordinance that will set the guidelines for naming and renaming of public places, streets and structures in the province of Cebu.

The ordinance is titled “Cebu Provincial Guidelines for Naming and Renaming of Public Places, Streets and Structures.” It was tackled during the first public hearing in 2015 last January 7.

The resolution stated that the basic purpose of the ordinance is to set forth the guidelines of the Provincial Government relative to the protection, conservation, promotion, and enhancement of the artistic, cultural, and heritage wealth of the Cebuanos by espousing the revised guidelines provided for the local government units (LGU’s) in naming and renaming of public places, streets and structures within their jurisdiction.

“The primary purpose for the creation of this proposed ordinance is to address the many instances when we have to change or rename places and streets,” Magpale said.

“To have a common interpretation of the law on this, we have decided to seek the National Historical Commission of the Philippines’ knowledge and its counterparts, including the National Commission for Culture and the Arts,” added Magpale.

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) by virtue of R.A.10086 is responsible for the conservation and preservation of the country’s historical legacies. Its major thrusts encompass an ambitious cultural program on historical studies, curatorial works, architectural conservation, Philippine heraldry, historical information dissemination activities, restoration and preservation of relics and memorabilia of heroes and other renowned Filipinos.

The NCCA continues to commence the commemoration of significant events and personages in Philippine history as well as the announcement of the national government and its political divisions and instrumentalities.

As the chairman of the Committee of Arts and Culture, Magpale invited guests to give their opinions about the propose ordinance. Guests include Cordova Mayor Adelino Sitoy, Dr. Jojo Bersales of the University of San Carlos, Dr. Reynaldo Inocian of the Cebu Normal University, Atty. Clarence Oaminal, NCCA World Heritage Sites Manager Edison Molanida, and NCCA Legal Assistant Morris Lim.

According to Sitoy, the Municipality of Cordova already renamed some of their streets to their former mayor’s name.

The guests lauded the proposed ordinance. Sitoy, however, advised that Magpale should have an inventory first of all the names of streets and structures in the province.

Sitoy hopes that the ordinance will be passed and implemented not just in the province but also in the two component cities of Cebu: Cebu City and Lapu-Lapu City.