THE Municipal Government of Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental, has christened a newly-opened street that provides access to the town’s bus terminal from the highway after a town hero.
The access road, named Pastor P. Ilogon, Sr. Avenue, is carved from land donated by the Ilogon family.
A grandson said Pastor had rendered exemplary service to the country during the World War II.
Raul Ilogon said his grandfather was the Chief Food Administrator, making the 109th regiment as the best regiment in the whole division.
"In current time, the title of chief administrator may sound very ordinary but in those dark days World War II, it was something else. Normal economic activity, commerce and manufacturing almost stood still. Food, basic but crucial needs was hard to find," he said, in a letter addressed to the local government officials of Laguindingan.
He said his grandfather's leadership motivated the people of Laguindingan to raise funds to finance the guerrilla army, and led by example by using his own money and resources.
"He successfully performed his duties even without being paid a salary since day one up to the end of the war," he added.
Pastor's contribution is supported by historical documents with the affidavits told by the army officials he once served.
Dolly Ilogon, a former broadcast journalist in Cagayan de Oro said, the although the name Pastor Ilogon is unknown to many, his contributions left a mark in this side of the country- feeding the guerrilla army to support their resistance against the Japanese reign.
"The name Pastor Ilogon doesn't really ring a bell. Many people’s memories of my lolo are not as vivid and clear but his contributions will remain forever etched in our history. This is also for the next generations of the Ilogon family, that they may remember our hero, our Lolo, with honor and pride," she said.
Laguindingan Mayor Diosdado Obsioma said the access road is of great help to the continuing development of our municipality.
“As town mayor, I thank the Ilogon family for donating the 15 meters access road which stretches from the highway to terminal,” Obsioma said.
"Dako kini nga contribution sa lungsod, ug usa kini ka paagi na moincome ang terminal sa Laguindingan (This is a big contribution as this would help bring income to the terminal)," he added.