Senate panel OKs bill renaming QC’s Del Monte Avenue to FPJ Avenue

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate public works committee on Wednesday approved a bill seeking to rename an avenue in Quezon City after the late actor Fernando Poe. Jr.

Senate Bill No. 1822, which was filed by Senator Lito Lapid seeking to rename Del Monte Avenue to Fernando Poe Jr. Avenue, was approved on the committee level.

It was Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. who moved to approve the bill.

“The committee has taken due note and consideration of the positions by the resource persons, may I reiterate however my motion for the approval of the measure at the committee level,” Revilla said.

Senator Imee Marcos, meanwhile, seconded Revilla’s motion.

Revilla’s motion was then approved by the Senate panel chairman, Senator Manny Pacquiao.

In the bill, Lapid, an actor himself, said that Poe “inspired a generation of television and film culture.”

“His peers in the film industry could attest to his whole-hearted kindness to Filipinos knowing full well the struggles of hard work amid worsening socio-economic conditions that Filipino families face then and now,” Lapid said in the explanatory note.

And as per the measure, much of Poe’s “legacy lives on” FPJ Productions, which is located along Del Monte Avenue in Quezon City.

Poe, who starred in almost 300 films in his 46-year career in the entertainment industry, died on Dec. 14, 2004, after suffering from a stroke. He was 65.

The late actor was also declared a National Artist of the Philippines for Film in 2006.

In his opening statement, Lapid said that Poe, also known as “FPJ” and “Da King,” is considered a hero to Filipinos.

“Bilang pagpapatotoo sa kadalasan nyang karakter sa pelikula at TV, si FPJ ay maituturing na isang bayani at kampyon ng mga inaapi, naghihirap at ordinaryong mamayang Pilipino sa pamamagitan ng kanyang mga pagkakawanggawa, at pag-aabot ng tulong sa iba’t-ibang uri at paraan,” Lapid said of the late actor.

(Because of his characters in films and TV, FPJ is considered as a hero and champion of the oppressed, those who are suffering and to the ordinary Filipino because of his philanthropy, and because of his willingness to help other people in many ways.)

Aside from Senate Bill No. 1822, the Senate public works committee also approved House Bill No. 7355, seeking to rename a road in Lanao del Sur to the Gov. Mamintal M. Adong Sr. National Road and House Bill No. 6467, which seeks to rename a portion of a road in Kalinga after late lawmaker Manuel Agyao.

/MUF