Fight over name of Circum Road rages: CPG or Aumentado

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Fight over name of Circum Road rages: CPG or Aumentado

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The  members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) finally clashed over naming of Bohol circumferential road during the regular session on Friday held at the posh Bluewater Resort, barangay Danao of this tourist municipality.

 The camp of Gov. Edgar Chatto and Rep. Rene Relampagos, who filed a bill No. 4331 to name the said highway to then Pres. Carlos P. Garcia, got what it wanted despite  a strong opposition of Vice-Gov. Dionisio Balite’s faction.

 As expected SP Board Members Atty. Benjie Arcamo, Atty. Abel Damalerio, Dr. Elpidio Jala, Dr. Romulo Cepedoza, Ricky Masamayor, Kristine Alexie Tutor, Jade Bautista voted for a Resolution endorsing Relampagos’ measure naming the circumferential highway to CPG in honor of the late Pres. Carlos P. Garcia.

 BM Agapito Avenido and BM Nino Rey Boniel, both representing 2nd district but of different political party affiliation, abstained.

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 Outvoted were BMs Dionisio Victor Balite, Atty. Tomas D. Abapo, Jr. and PCL Bohol chapter president Gloria Gementiza who advocated that the said highway be appropriately named after then Governor and Congressman Erico B. Aumentado.

 The second time that BM Abapo moved for a separate Resolution, also endorsing House Resolution No.4673 proposed by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to name the Bohol circumferential highway to the late Cong. Erico B. Aumentado (EBA), his group was again defeated with Boniel voting.

But Boniel said that the fight is not over yet. He said that former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo of Pampanga has filed House Bill No. 4673, to name the Bohol circumferential highway to then Cong. Erico Aumentado.

 The question remains as to who really deserves of highway name since it is the Congress has the final say to name public highways and other places in honor of deserving public officials in their names.

 Earlier in his privilege speech, provincial BM Abapo, Jr. told his colleagues that the Philippines Councilor’s League (PCL) Bohol chapter led by BM Gloria B. Gementiza has passed a Resolution asking Congress to name the said highway to EBA.

 He also said he was informed that the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) Bohol chapter headed by Clarin town Mayor Allen Ray Piezas is inclined to do the same in the name of the late second district solon EBA, the father of incumbent Congressman Aris Aumentado.

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 He then proposed that this matter be referred to the Committee of the Whole, which the SP has approved thru the presiding officer senior BM Atty. Benjie Arcamo.

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 Prior to Abapo’s information, BM Atty. Abeleon Damalerio was about to move for the passage of a Resolution favorably endorsing first district Rep. Rene Lopez Relampagos’ house bill No. 4331 naming the highway to CPG.

 Damalerio’s proposed Resolution was aborted when BM Abapo took to the floor which he acceded.

 It will be recalled that former board member Gerry Garcia of 2nd district has proposed to name the said highway to EBA.

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 Then BM Garcia, who did not make it in the congressional race in May 9, 2016 elections, batted for honoring EBA who was very much instrumental in making the circumferential highway a reality thru the highway.

 But his wish appeared to be ignored by the majority of his colleagues (serving 2013-2016) belonging to Chatto’s camp after referring it to a committee until this time it was not taken up yet.

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 The governor in his speech during the 120th CPG Day (Nov. 4) said he would endorse to the SP chaired by Balite to name the said highway to CPG, report said.

NO CONSULTATION

Bonielsaid it appeared that Relampagos’s proposed House bill lacked consultation with the people especially with  the municipal mayors since Capitol vowed to do extensive public consultation of matters of great public interest. He said that Relampagos should have consulted the mayors first as a matter of procedure.

 Boniel did not hide his preference to name the said highway to EBA. “I just want to be realistic,” he said, saying it cannot be denied that EBA was very instrumental in making the circumferential road a reality, hence, he deserved such a tribute.

There are already names for CPG, such as CPG highway in Manila, streets in some other places and public buildings and the town of former Pitogo, he said.

 But he added that he still respect the voice of the majority of the provincial board.

 It will be recalled that former Rep. Isidro Zarraga (3rd district) succeeded in naming the former Bohol National High School to Dr. Cecilio Putong National High School allegedly without the benefit of public hearing or consultation.

 

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