AKLAN LEADERS PUSH NAMING OF HIGHWAY AFTER CARDINAL SIN

By Johnny Dayang
NEW WASHINGTON, Aklan – The House of Representatives headed by Speaker Jose de Venecia will soon take up the proposed naming of a long, coastal road in Aklan into the Jaime L. Cardinal Sin Highway.
To be sponsored by Congressman Florencio T. Miraflores, a bill will shortly be filed in Congress seeking to name the highway after Cardinal Sin who was born here in New Washington, a coastal town with 26 barangays.
Cardinal Sin helped pave the way for concreting of the coastal highway, a 20-km stretch spanning from Kalibo, Aklan’s provincial capital, to Dumaguit port, New Washington.
The concrete road now provides a smooth traffic in the flow of trade and commerce in Aklan.
Although assigned by the Vatican as Archbishop in Manila for almost 30 years, Cardinal Sin always had in mind the welfare and well-being of his province mates in Aklan, Congressman Miraflores said.
“Cardinal Sin was so well-loved by his fellow Aklanons that he went out of his way to serve them as a great patriot and a leader,” the lawmaker said.
Aklan’s provincial officials strongly backed the naming of the highway after Cardinal Sin, saying it will be a monumental tribute to him for his legacy of compassion in the province.
Those who supported the move are Aklan Governor Carlito S. Marquez and Vice Governor Billie V. Calizo, New Washington Mayor Edgar R. Peralta and Vice Mayor Jean T. Velarde and Kalibo Mayor Raymar Rebaldo, president of the Aklan Mayors League, and other local officials. Dr. Ambrosio Villorente, of the Aklan Press Club, Inc. (APCI) and director of the Publishers Association of the Philippines, Inc., (PAPI) also committed his full support to the move of Congressman Miraflores.
“Aklanons are united in professing their love, respect and honor for Cardinal Sin,” Dr. Villorente said. Congressman Miraflores’ move coincides with preparations for the unveiling and blessing of the towering statue of Cardinal Sin on Aug. 31 at a public park in New Washington as part of the commemorative activities of the birth anniversary of the late prelate, and unveiling of the historical marker, to be presided by Ambeth Ocampo, chairman of the National Historical Institute (NHI).
This will be preceded by a concelebrated mass to be officiated by Aklan Bishop Jose Romeo Lazo at the Roman Catholic Church in front of New Washington’s public park.
The Cardinal Sin Assembly 4th Degree Knights of Columbus will provide the honor guards, according to its leader, Dr. Primitivo Chua.
“Cardinal Sin deserves the highest honors we can accord him,” he said.
Congressman Miraflores and Governor Marquez earlier wrote a joint letter requesting President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to declare Aug. 31 a non-working holiday in Aklan to enable the Aklanons to celebrate Cardinal Sin’s birth anniversary.
Donated by Ambassador Antonio Cabangon L. Chua to honor his long-time friend Cardinal Sin, the monument’s sculpture was sculpted by the Castrillo brothers and sons studio. Ambassador Cabangon Chua, founder of the conglomerate Fortune Group of Companies, chairs the Jaime L. Cardinal Sin Monument Project. Manila Archbishop Gaudencio B. Cardinal Rosales serves as honorary chairman.