Ponciano Bernardo

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Ponciano Bernardo (December 2, 1905 — April 28, 1949) was a Filipino engineer and politician who served as mayor of Quezon City, holding the position from 1947 until his death in 1949. It was during his tenure that Quezon City was designated as the capital city of the Philippines.

[edit] Profile

Bernardo was born in Santa Rosa, Nueva Ecija. He finished his primary and secondary education in Cabanatuan City, and entered the University of the Philippines as a civil engineering student. He graduated in 1927, and joined the Bureau of Public Works. In 1929, he was named as an assistant provincial engineer of Tayabas, the home province of Manuel Quezon, who would become President in 1935. Bernardo also held various provincial posts as a government engineer in Baguio City and Antique. In 1940, President Quezon, whom he had befriended, appointed him as vice-mayor and city engineer of the newly-established Quezon City.

On December 24, 1946, Bernardo was appointed mayor of Quezon City by President Sergio Osmena. He was sworn into office on January 1, 1947. During his tenure, in 1948, that Quezon City became the capital of the Philippines in lieu of Manila. Under Bernardo's leadership, a city police force was constituted and a new city hall was constructed in Cubao. Funds were also allocated for the construction of a park (later named Bernardo Park), a market in Galas, and a public high school.

On April 28, 1949, Bernardo, along with former First Lady Aurora Quezon and several others, were killed in an ambush in Bongabon, Nueva Ecija. They were en route to President Quezon's hometown of Baler to dedicate a hospital in memory of the late President.

An elementary school and a high school in Quezon City have been named in memory of Bernardo.

[edit] Reference

• QC: A Saga of Continuing Progress. Quezonian Newsletter. Quezon City Public Library (2007). Retrieved on 2008-05-04.