Congressman Antonio T. Bacaltos, Sr. Street in Talisay City

The road from the main street of barangays Lawaan I, Lawaan II, Mohon and Pooc to the shoreline in the southeastern part of Talisay City, Cebu had no official name for many years.

The Talisay City Council on March 20, 2012 on motion of City Councilor Eduardo R. Gullas III enacted ordinance no. 2012-01 officially naming the street, with a total linear length of 1,700 meters, as Congressman Antonio T. Bacaltos Sr. Street. The ordinance was co-authored by then Vice Mayor Alan G. Bucao and City Councilors Rodolfo L. Cabigas, Dennis B. Basillote, Richard F. Aznar, Celiapo A. Cabuenas, Bernard Joseph T. Odilao, Edward S. Alesna, Charles L. Basillote and Carmel John E. Burlas. It was approved by Mayor Socrates C. Fernandez on April 10, 2012.

Antonio T. Bacaltos was a lawyer by profession. He served as Vice Mayor of Talisay from 1960 to 1963. He also served as delegate of the Constitutional Convention representing the Old Third Congressional District of Cebu. During the convention, he was the vice chairman of the Committee on Judicial Power from 1971 to 1972.

He was the first Representative of the First District of Cebu to the House of Representatives after it was restored by Pres. Corazon C. Aquino in 1987. Prior to the passage of the 1987 Constitution, Cebu used to have seven congressional districts. Pursuant to the new constitution, Cebu had six congressional districts for the Province and two for the city, with a total of eight districts. In 2010 the lone District of Lapu-Lapu was created, bringing the total number of districts in the province to nine.  Bacaltos served as the first district representative from 1987 to 1992.

Bacaltos, fondly called “Tonying,” was a soldier during the World War II. He married Remedios “Meding” Deiparine. Their children also became public officials of Talisay City and the District he served. Dehlia Bacaltos-Tiu, his daughter, became OIC and was elected Mayor of Talisay. His son Raul, a lawyer, was elected Board Member, representing the 1st District of Cebu. Another son, Jojo, was elected Councilor of Talisay City.