BRIDGING THE GAP
Iznart Street, the 'hardware center' of Iloilo City
Through the course of human development and progress, be it in the political, economic and socio-cultural arenas, roads or streets play an important role. In the realm of economics, roads are vital for the efficient transport of goods and people from one place to another. With roads and transportation vehicles, people and goods can move faster to their destinations. Furthermore, roads are crucial in the spread and exchange of ideas, beliefs, culture and technology that contribute to improvements in human life ways. In addition, roads are also essential politically in the sense that with roads the government can have an easy access to all its constituents for an efficient and effective implementation of laws and regulations, and for good governance.
Iznart Street, also known as Caram Street, is a major artery of Iloilo City, always filled with motorized vehicles and with people from all walks of life. It is also considered as the "Hardware Center" of the city. Old residents of the area claim that it was named after a Spanish engineer, a certain Iznart, who was responsible in the laying out of the street during the 1700s under the Spanish government. Atty. Rex Salvilla, a noted Ilonggo lawyer-historian, on the other hand, has pointed out that it was named after Gov. Manuel Iznart. (Iloilo Yearbook 2007)
Iznart Street is officially named Caram Street because during the post-EDSA period it was renamed as such to honor Dr. Fermin Caram, one of the street's wealthy and influential residents. Up to the present, the street's official name is Caram Street, yet is is not generally known and is seldom used. People still keep on referring to it as Iznart Street.
On the basis of the records of the Maintenance Section of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Iloilo City District, Iznart Street ranks as the sixth longest street of the city, with a total length of 3,650 kms all paved and concreted.
Iznart Street is best known for its hardware supplies. Hardware establishments are most especially notable in the section of the street from Plazoleta Gay to corner De Leon Street and on to the intersection of Rizal Street.
An ocular visit to Iznart Street would show that there are more or less 120 establishments and/or institutions that are currently operating on both sides of the street. Most of these establishments are housed in old buildings, especially in the area from Plazoleta Gay through Rizal Street. As one walks from the northern point where the old Provincial Capitol Building is, moving towards the southern end of the street, he/she can find at the left side the following prominent landmarks: Medical Clinic of Dr. Daniel Ledesma, Jr. housed in an old Spanish-vintage building; YMCA Building that was founded in 1928 by Don Vicente Lopez; Imperial Appliance Plaza; Far East Bank; Queen Bank; Juan Tong Lumber Co., Inc.; Union Bank; the defunct Allegro Theater; Socorro Drug Store; Metro Bank; Central Public Market, and many more.
At the right side, again coming from the old Capitol Building as the starting point, one can see the following major establishments: Cabalum Western College; Feliciano Divinagracia Building, built in 1966, and houses the Bacchus Wine and Liquor Store; United Coconut Planters Bank; Bank of the Philippine Islands; Po's Marketing; Land Bank, main; Amigo Terrace Hotel, one of the well-known hotels in the city; Payless Emporium; N.S. Ocana, Inc., specializing in photo-copying needs; Mercury Drug Store; Iloilo Central Commercial High School; Philippine Savings Bank; Jollibee; the old Estrella Building, which houses several hardware stores; the S. Villanueva Building, constructed in 1939, which also contains hardware stores; United Overseas Bank or Westmont Bank, China Bank, and several others.
During the Dinagyang Festival, Iznart Street is one of the sites where the judging area for the pompous Ati-atihan and Merry-making contests is situated. It is also where the colorful Annual Chinese New Year Festival in Iloilo City is celebrated.
As one can see, Iznart Street is one of the economically vital streets of Iloilo City, especially in terms of banking needs of people and for those who are after various hardware supplies. It can also be noted that in the said street, there are numerous old establishments that still operate today, an indication of the enduring role of Iznart Street in the development of the city.