MANILA, Philippines — Former president Joseph Estrada has lauded a Senate bill seeking to rename Del Monte Avenue in Quezon City after the late actor Fernando Poe Jr.
The Senate public works committee on Wednesday approved the measure, which was filed by Sen. Lito Lapid.
Estrada said renaming Del Monte Avenue into FPJ Avenue is a “fitting tribute to the king of Philippine movies.”
Poe has touched the lives of the Filipino people, according to Estrada.
The House of Representatives approved its counterpart bill on Sept. 9 and transmitted it to the Senate the following day.
In filing the bill, Lapid said Poe’s “legacy lives on” FPJ Productions, which is located along Del Monte Avenue.
Poe died on Dec. 14, 2004 after suffering from a stroke. He was 65.
The late actor was declared a National Artist for Film in 2006.
The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) has expressed reservations over the proposed measure.
NHCP deputy executive director Alvin Alcid said they agreed that Poe deserves recognition.
“But we have reservations because the road which we are seeking to rename has been known as Del Monte Avenue since 1961,” Alcid said.
Under the Heritage Law, Alcid said street names that have been in existence for more than 50 years are considered historical.