ORDINANCE NO. 2024-058

AN ORDINANCE NAMING THE UNNAMED ACCESS ROAD STRETCHING FROM THE CORNER OF BONING SIA SR. STREET TO THE CORNER OF MCDONALDS IN CBD2 IN BARANGAY TRIANGULO AS SEN. RAUL S. ROCO STREET:

Sponsor: Hon. Jose B. Perez

Explanatory Note

Raul Sagarbarria Roco was among the leading political figures in the country that many fondly referred to as the first Bicolano President of the Philippines, who never was. He was the standard-bearer of Aksyon Demokratiko, which he founded in 1997 as a vehicle for his presidential bids in 1998 and 2004.

He was a congressman, senator, and the 31st Secretary of Education. He had a strong following among young voters due to his efforts to promote honesty and good governance.

Roco finished elementary school at age 10 from the Naga Parochial School and high school at age 14 from Ateneo de Naga University. He graduated magna cum laude from San Beda College in Manila with a degree in English in 1960. Then, in the same college, he received a Bachelor of Laws degree and was its Abbott Awardee for Over-All Excellence. In the US, he obtained his Master of Laws at the University of Pennsylvania while also enrolled at the Wharton School.

He was the president of the National Union of Students of the Philippines in 1961 and was named one of the Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines in 1964. His wife Sonia was also the Most Outstanding Student that same year.

Roco was elected to the Senate in 1992 and 1995, serving until 2001. His skills in legislation and statesmanship led many to recognize him as an “Outstanding Senator”. He reformed the nation’s banking system by authoring the law that earned him the title “Father of the Bangko Sentral”. In addition, he wrote the Intellectual Property Code and the Securities Regulation Code.

He also made several contributions to education. He helped fund the teachers’ cooperatives as well as the increment mandated by the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers for retiring public school teachers. On the students’ side, he helped bring computers into Philippine universities, colleges, and public schools.

Roco ran for president in the 1998 Philippine election. He lost to Vice-President Joseph Estrada but had a remarkable showing in a field of eleven candidates despite being an independent candidate.

In 2004, Roco rode his success in the Department of Education into a run once again for the Philippine presidency. He was a front-runner in pre-election surveys and was considered a strong contender. However, during the campaign, he had his bout with prostate cancer. His illness forced him to leave the campaign trail for medical attention in the United States. Doctors told him that his condition was not life-threatening and that he could continue his run for the presidency. He returned to the campaign trail, but concerns about his illness greatly diminished his support.

He died on August 5, 2005, at age 63. His death is being commemorated annually by the City of Naga, highlighting his varied achievements as an outstanding Filipino and proud Nagueño.

His love for Naga, the beloved city of his birth, is certainly beyond question. Hence, approval of this Ordinance is being earnestly sought.

BE IT ORDAINED by the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Naga, in session duly assembled, that:

SECTION 1. SEN. RAUL S. ROCO STREET. The unnamed street stretching from the corner of Boning Sia Sr. Street to the corner of McDonald’s along Diversion Road in CBD2 in Barangay Triangulo is hereby officially named as “Sen. Raul S. Roco Street.”

SECTION 2. REPEALING CLAUSE. All rules and regulations, executive issuances, and other public documents which are inconsistent or in conflict with the provisions of this Ordinance are hereby repealed and modified accordingly.

SECTION 3. EFFECTIVITY. This ordinance shall be effective immediately upon its approval.

ENACTED: May 21, 2024.

WE HEREBY CERTIFY to the correctness of the foregoing ordinance.

GIL A. DE LA TORRE
Secretary to the
Sangguniang Panlungsod

CECILIA B. VELUZ-DE ASIS
City Vice Mayor
& Presiding Officer

APPROVED:

NELSON S. LEGACION
City Mayor