MANILA, Philippines – Netizens were abuzz after photos of alleged change of street sign of Gil Puyat Avenue in Makati City to 'Gil Tulog' went viral on Thursday.
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| Photo courtesy: X/@uNickthoughts |
After becoming a hot topic, Makati City Mayor Abby Binay released a statement this Friday, July 26, about the confusion in the name of the street.
Binay confirmed that the 'sudden change' of the name in Gil Puyat Avenue is part of "advertising campaign".
She also said that her office is not informed of the plan of changing the street name.
"It is unfortunate that the request for a permit for the so-called advertising campaign to change the street signs of Gil Puyat Avenue did not reach my office. Kung dumaan sa akin yan, rejected yan agad," she said.
Binay also points out that other officials should be careful in giving permits. She said that the sudden change will affect the motorists and commuters.
She also emphasized that respect should have been given to the family of former Senate President Gil Puyat.
“The city officials who issued the permit should have exercised prudence. They should have been more thorough. Dapat inisip ang kaguluhan na maaaring idulot sa mga motorista at komyuter. At dapat ay binigyang halaga ang respeto sa pamilya at sa alaala ni dating Senate President Gil Puyat. I have already reprimanded these officials for this glaring oversight,” Binay said.
Binay then apologized to the family of the former senate president and ordered the return to the street's original name.
"Humihingi ako ng paumanhin sa ating mga kababayan at sa pamilya ni dating Senate President Puyat. These signs have been taken down on my instruction,” Binay added.
Puyat served in the Senate from 1951 to 1973. For six years, he was the Senate President.
While the puzzle has been solved revealing that it is just a publicity stunt for a melatonin brand with some photos of altered street name seem just edited, it still reminds us to treat road signs with utmost respect.
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| Actual photos of Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue road signs, captured by The Summit Express on Friday, July 26. |
