The proposal to rename the two extensions, i.e., Jacinto and Mabini, has something to do with geography and the demographic realities on the ground, specifically when it comes to appreciating the distance between the main streets to their extensions.
Mabini Street, for instance, has a main street that starts from Quezon Blvd. and ends at Gomez Street while the extension starts from Elpidio Quirino Ave. and ends at Juan Sarenas Ave. Between the main street and the extension is roughly 700 meters or more. In between are two primary roads, businesses, and a densely populated settlement.
Jacinto Street, meanwhile, starts at Quezon Blvd. and ends at the junction of Oyanguren Street (now Ramon Magsaysay), Claveria, and J.P. Laurel Ave. The extension is roughly 350 meters away from the main street. In between the main street and extension is Acacia District, a hub of residences, public market, businesses, bank, and park.
Jacinto Extension, on the ground, is the actual extension of Ponciano Reyes Street (now Ponciano Bangoy). Both roads meet at and share entry to Quirino Ave. and act as channels for vehicular traffic going east to west, and north to south. There are also a handful of reasons why Jacinto Extension and Mabini Extension should be renamed, to wit:
Renaming the extensions assigned by urban planners as markers for identifying proposed roads does not affect the intent to protect, preserve, and respect the names of streets unofficially named after national heroes. The use of ‘extensions’ in street names of national heroes was proposed and assigned due to proposition, assignment, and perception. Without local legislation to stand on, and deprives the people of Davao of its right to honor its local figures.
The ‘extensions’ in focus are so divorced from the ‘main streets’ that any proposition for future connection is impossible given the breach between the segments have become permanently business and residential districts. Removing the ‘extension’ from city streets means (i) addressing the confusion generated, (ii) giving order and soundness in the way streets are named, and (iii) to extend to the city the privilege to honor its distinguished sons and daughters.
Under the NHCP rules, it says: ‘No portion of a street or road may be renamed if it would tend to disrupt the continuity of its present name.’ The rule is restrictive and limits the city’s right to choose which road to be named without disrespecting the memory of a national hero. The concepts on ‘continuity,’ ‘sanctified use,’ ‘aesthetic unity,’ and ‘degree of historical significance’ (or ‘association’) are stringent so much so it delivers a message to the City Council that only the NHCP has the absolute right to identify which road must be named and why the LGUs cannot rationally invoke RA 7160. In the case of ‘sanctified use,’ commuters reach the extensions do not mention the street by name anymore; rather, they use landmarks in reaching the area.
While the NHCP is imbued with an all-encompassing mandate to strengthen its powers and functions under RA 10086, a reasonable appreciation of facts should be substantial to highlight the obligations of the Local Government in terms of reverencing its important profiles whose contributions are something Davao City wants to honor.
The NHCP eventually acceded to the letter for reconsideration, saying the proposal to rename the extensions falls within the ambit of the local government. The agency’s only request is for the street to retain its existing appellation. With the agency recognizing the City Government’s right to rename streets within jurisdiction in consonance with the agency’s guidelines and in accord with the provisions of the Local Government Code of 1991, the legal impediment to rename Jacinto Extension to Leopoldo M. Abellera is effectively removed.
