Wednesday, October 11, 2006 PB, agency at odds over change of school's name
THE renaming of an elementary school in Bakun, Benguet resulted in a conflicting stand between the Provincial Board (PB) of Benguet and the National Historical Institute (NHI).
NHI Chairperson Ambeth Ocampo wrote the PB, informing its members that the agency is not amenable to the changing of the Alibacong Elementary School to Labinio-Mariano Elementary School, saying this was not done in consultation with their office.
The Local Government Code (LGC) provides that local officials should coordinate with the NHI over the changing of names of public institutions such as schools.
Ocampo's letter also stated that the renaming of the school would affect the "aesthetic unity of the names of all public elementary schools in Bakun bearing indigenous names."
The Municipal Government of Bakun passed Ordinance 01-06, changing the name of the elementary school. The PB approved a resolution giving favorable review to the town's ordinance.
However, the PB received the NHI letter dated August 8 opposing the measure.
Board Member Juan Nazarro, chairman of the PB committee on legal matters, recommended that the legislative body sustain its earlier action on Bakun's measure. He said the institute already issued its approval on the renaming of the school as certified by an NHI letter dated May 12.
The Alibacong Elementary School is located in Barangay Gambang of this town. Local officials passed a resolution recommending the changing of the school's name to Labinio-Mariano Elementary School in recognition of Labinio-Mariano who donated the school site. (JC)
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