Iloilo Board to Notify Senate on ‘Road Renaming Dispute’

By Mariela Angella Oladive

The Iloilo Provincial Board plans to inform the Senate about an existing provincial ordinance naming the Bangga Dama-San Jose Road as General Martin T. Delgado Avenue, amid discussions on House Bill No. 10891, which seeks to rename the road in honor of former Congressman Arcadio H. Gorriceta.

The bill, filed by Iloilo 2nd District Representative Michael Gorriceta, aims to recognize the late congressman’s contributions to infrastructure development in the district.

During a committee hearing on Feb. 4, 3rd District Board Member Matt Palabrica raised concerns, pointing out that Provincial Ordinance No. 2016-126 had already designated the road after General Martin Delgado.

The matter was referred to the Committee on Ordinances, Legal Matters, and Inter-Government Relations, chaired by 2nd District Board Member June Mondejar, which conducted a hearing on Feb. 10.

Mondejar emphasized that the road remains a provincial road, giving the provincial government the authority to name or rename it.

“The road connecting Bangga Dama, Sta. Barbara, to Bangga San Jose, San Miguel, is still classified as a provincial road. Although there were attempts to convert it into a national road, those efforts were unsuccessful, and it remains under the jurisdiction of the provincial government,” Mondejar said.

He added that the issue was brought to light after a complaint from a family in Sta. Barbara, relayed by Board Member Palabrica.

“We will inform the Senate that this is a provincial road, already named after General Martin Delgado, and that the authority to rename it rests with the provincial government under the Local Government Code,” Mondejar stated.

However, Rep. Gorriceta argued that Congress has the authority to rename roads through legislation.

“This is not to suggest that local ordinances lack significance, but rather, they operate within a defined scope and are subject to review, modification, or repeal by national law. In such cases, Congressional legislation takes precedence,” he said in a statement.

He cited the 1987 Constitution and National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) guidelines, which allow public places to be named or renamed by the President through a proclamation or by Congress through legislation.

Gorriceta clarified that when he filed House Bill No. 9503 (later substituted by HB No. 10891), he was unaware of the provincial ordinance.

He said the decision was based on his constituents’ demand to honor the late Congressman Gorriceta, adding that the bill has garnered local support, including a resolution from the San Miguel local government unit.

The bill was substituted with HB No. 10891 on Sept. 11, 2024, passed by the House on Nov. 12, and transmitted to the Senate the following day.

Gorriceta stressed that the proposal was made in good faith and was not intended to overshadow General Delgado’s legacy.

“Now that the bill has already been passed by the House and sent to the Senate, I can no longer withdraw the measure. The legislative process has moved forward, and the Senate now holds jurisdiction over its approval, amendment, or rejection. Any discussions or objections regarding the renaming should now be addressed within the legislative framework of the Senate,” he said.