Law to rename Bontoc roads with local terms pushed

By Alpine L. Killa

BONTOC, Mountain Province – The Sangguniang Bayan passed in its first reading an ordinance renaming various municipal roads or streets using the Bontoc terminologies. 

Sponsored by Sangguniang Bayan member Jerome Tudlong, Jr., the council recognized the need to name the streets of Bontoc with the clamour of the public for street directions.  

Bontoc is where most transactions takes place considering that it is the seat of the municipal and provincial governments, national government agency provincial offices; and the center of commerce, trade, and education.

This is also in consideration of the increasing number of tourists visiting the municipality that need the Bontoc Street Map. Thus, the naming of streets and putting-up signages is a great help to the public in locating directions. 

In the proposed ordinance, the road from Ngelangel Building (fronting the national road) to the United Church of Christ of the Philippines (UCCP) at Loc-ong is to be named Akfab Street. “Akfab” is a wild plant with sweet-sour tasting fruit while its fresh flower serves as vegetable and a flavoring condiment when dried.

The street from the Cooperative Bank of Mountain Province to the Mosomos residence is to be called Fakeg Street. “Fakeg” is a sweet-tasting black berry-like wild fruit. 

The road stretch from the Solang to Felwa residence is proposed to be named Khayab Street. “Khayab” is a Bontoc term for guava fruit. 

The street covering the Bontoc Commercial Center to Pancho residence is to be named Sangi Street. “Sangi” is a native backpack usually woven from rattan. 

The road from Bayle Building to Pooten Building is to be called Khiyag Street. “Khiyag” is a native food container woven from rattan. 

The road circumnavigating the Girl Scout of the Philippines Building to the Provincial Government Building to the Philippine National Bank is to be named Appong Street. “Appong” is a string of beads worn by Bontok women to hold back their hair. 

The street from Mrs. Mary Tudlong residence (fronting the national road) down to the Eyeb is Layad Street. “Layad” is a Bontoc term for love. 

The stretch of road from the Provincial Jail Junction going down to the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) compound is to be named Ayyoweng Street. “Ayyoweng” is a Bontoc term for native chants. 

The street from Post Office to Pattig is named Bishop Claver Road. 

In an interview, Tudlong said that the Sangguniang Bayan is open to any suggestion or recommendations from the public in renaming various municipal roads or streets using Bontoc terminologies.