WHAT’S IN A NAME? Mayor renames grandstand to ‘Iloilo City Freedom Grandstand’

By: Emme Rose Santiagudo

WHAT’S in a name?

A lot, as far as Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas is concerned.

This, as Treñas renamed the Dinagyang Grandstand on De la Rama Street-Muelle Loney Streets in City Proper to “Iloilo City Freedom Grandstand” through an executive order (EO) he issued on Monday.

The new grandstand replaced the old one previously located on JM Basa Street in City Proper.

In his EO, Treñas explained that the old freedom grandstand was built in the 1950s as a symbolic structure of Republic Act No. 1209 (Iloilo City Freedom Law).

“The Iloilo City Freedom Law, authored by former Assemblyman Rodolfo Ganzon, which was passed in 1955 giving the residents of Iloilo City the right to vote for their Mayor, Vice Mayor and Councilors,” the EO said.

However, the grandstand was demolished to give way to the restoration of the Sunburst Park.

“A new grandstand along Muelley Loney is designed to replace the original freedom grandstand as stated on one of the whereas clause of Resolution No. 2018-078 issued by the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Iloilo City. In the same resolution, it was stated that the new grandstand should retain the name ‘Freedom Grandstand’, “the EO added.

Treñas’ predecessor and brother-in-law, former Mayor Jose Espinosa III, previously named the new grandstand “Iloilo City Dinagyang Grandstand” to highlight the annual Dinagyang Festival.