The Provincial Board of Negros Oriental has reversed a controversial law passed by the Dumaguete City Council changing the name of Silliman Avenue Extension to Fermin Santos St.
The Board, which has oversight functions over all laws passed by the component towns and cities in Negros Oriental, reversed the City Council Resolution 139 passed last May 6 after noting some flaws in its passage.
Vice Governor Mark Macias said the Provincial Board noted during Monday’s regular session the lack of some requirements, such as a public hearing, consultation with the National Historical Institute and a barangay endorsement.
Several residents of Silliman Avenue Extension initiated a petition last June 29 addressed to Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria, to express their dismay at their street’s sudden change of name.
Fermin Santos, who lived along that street, was the longest-serving campus administrator of the East Visayan School of Arts & Trades (EVSAT), now the Negros Oriental State University, prior to his retirement in 1975.
In a petition dated June 29, the residents said they were shocked when they saw the new street name, as it appeared “too suddenly and without notice”.
The residents said that this move, which would affect their daily personal and community lives, should be done with consultation and due process.
