ILOILO City – The city government marked the 101st birth anniversary of the late Ilonggo senator Rodolfo T. Ganzon by inaugurating a newly-redeveloped park named in his honor.
Led by Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon, son of the late senator, and Councilor Sedfrey Cabaluna who represented Mayor Jerry Treñas, the Sen. Rodolfo T. Ganzon Freedom Park in M.H. Del Pilar, Molo district just across the Iloilo City Community College was officially reopened to the public on March 25.
The park, where the late senator’s statue stands, is a tribute to the late senator who had also served as city mayor and congressman, and earned the monikers “Stormy Petrel of the South”, “Man of Destiny”, “Champion of the Masses”, and “Father of Free Education”, among others.
“Ang iya contributions sa progress sang syudad indi man guro malipatan sang mga pumoluyo ta,” said Vice Mayor Ganzon.
His father authored the most profound law of the land – the Special Education Fund or Republic Act 5447.
The vice mayor, together with Cabaluna, Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) director Police Colonel Joeresty Coronica and Michelle Tiu of Uswag Ilonggo pary-list led the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of the park.
“This is indeed a great day to remember his works which are forever be etched in the heart of every Ilonggo,” said Cabaluna.
Through Regulation Ordinance No. 2021–044, the roundabout or rotunda including the late denator’s statue in MH Del Pilar, Molo was renamed from Sen. Rodolfo Ganzon Memorial Circle to Sen. Rodolfo “Roding” T. Ganzon Freedom Park.
Meanwhile, Councilor Rudolph Ganzon, grandson of the late senator and author of the said ordinance, thanked Mayor Treñas for his support by approving the budget for the redevelopment of the freedom park.
Council Ganzon said another project was renaming of the bypass road or the San Pedro Street to Senator Rodolfo “Roding” T. Ganzon Avenue.
The city councilor also noted that there was also a proposal to rename the Public Library beside the Iloilo City College to Senator Rodolfo “Roding” T. Ganzon Public Library as a way of expressing and demonstrating the city’s recognition to the exemplary contribution of the late Senator and his strong campaign for free education./PN
