Metro sites to be renamed after late Sen. Roding Ganzon
Members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod here are now seriously considering renaming some areas in Iloilo City after the late Senator Rodolfo Ganzon.
The areas being considered for renaming after Ganzon are the unnamed circle between the Iloilo City National High School (ICNHS) and the Technical Institute of Iloilo City (TIIC) located along M.H. Del Pilar Street in Molo district, as well as the entire stretch of M.H. Del Pilar and Gen. Luna Streets .
The proposed renaming of the sites was embodied in a proposed ordinance authored by city councilor Jed Mabilog.
Mabilog said the renaming is in recognition and appreciation of the work that Ganzon has done in his long years of service as Councilor, Mayor, Congressman and Senator. Ganzon died after a lingering illness at the St. Paul's Hospital here on October 29, 2003.
Mabilog proposed that the circle between the ICNHS and TIIC be named Senator Rodolfo T. Ganzon Memorial Circle and a monument of the late Senator built in the center of it. He also proposed that the stretch of M.H. Del Pilar and Gen. Luna Streets be named Sen. Rodolfo T. Ganzon Avenue.
The proposed ordinance has been referred to the committee on tourism under Councilor Merci Drilon-Garcia for study and recommendation.
Mabilog also authored a resolution requesting Congress through Congressman Raul Gonzalez Jr. to pass a bill for a similar renaming of the mentioned areas. The resolution was subsequently approved unanimously by the Sanggunian .
Ganzon, native of Molo district, was elected as number one councilor of the city in 1951. He was first elected congressman in the 2nd district of Iloilo in 1953 and 1961.
He also served as senator in 1963 and four times city mayor (1955-1959, 1959-1961, 1971-1972, and 1988-1992).
During his reign, he was branded by Ilonggos as the “Undisputed Stormy Petrel,” “Fighting Colossus of the South,” "Man of Destiny,” “Maverick Politician and Veteran Politician,” “Champion of the Masses and Leader Par Excellence,” and “Father of the Timawa,” among others. Furthermore, Ganzon has contributed numerous landmark legislations now being implemented in the country.
(Adora B. Bandorio/PIO)