Agham Road and BIR Road in QC now Sen. Miriam P. Defensor-Santiago Avenue

Two roads in Quezon City — Agham Road and BIR Road — were renamed as Senator Miriam P. Defensor-Santiago Avenue.

This was after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. allowed Republic Act No. 11963 (Act Renaming the Agham Road and the BIR Road, Stretching from North Avenue, Traversing Through Quezon Avenue, Up to East Avenue, All Located in Quezon City, As Senator Miriam P. Defensor-Santiago Avenue) to lapse into law on Thursday, October 12, according to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).

The roadway has been known as Agham Road from North Avenue to Quezon Avenue, which bisects it, and BIR Road from Quezon Avenue to East Avenue.

“The Department of Public Works and Highways shall issue the necessary rules, orders and circulars to implement the provisions of this Act within 60 days from its effectivity,” RA 11963 read.

RA 11963 was passed by the House of Representatives on March 21, 2023, and by the Senate on August 14, 2023.

The new law will take effect 15 days after it has been published in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation, the PCO said.

Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr., sponsor of the measure in the Senate, in a speech after the bill's third reading said Santiago "has truly left a legacy that to this day serves as our guiding light in our quest towards providing our countrymen with the kind of service she has espoused her whole life. Public service punctuated with integrity and honor. Standing courageously by the line of fire without fear or bias and always advocating for the welfare of the people above all else."

Santiago died in her sleep in September 2016 at the age of 71 after battling cancer.

She served as senator from 1995 to 2001, and from 2004 to 2016.

Santiago was a Ramon Magsaysay Awardee in 1988 for government service. —KG, GMA Integrated News