Gullas cites need for contractors

CEBU, Philippines - First district Rep. Eduardo Gullas, during a gathering of contractors from around the country at the Cebu Country Club in Banilad, Cebu City the other night, assured of a partnership with them in the implementation of his proposed infrastructure projects for the province.

Speaking before the members and officers of the Philippine Constructors Association, Inc. (PCA) and the Cebu Contractors Association, Inc. (CCA), Gullas said he has at least four "big-ticket items" waiting to be implemented, in which he hopes any of them can undertake, as "private-public" sector partnership.

These big-ticket items are the P740-million Land Rail Transit (LRT), the tunnel that will connect Cebu and Lapu-Lapu City, the implementation of the Cebu Economic Zone (CEDZ) and water dam project, he said.

Gullas has already re-filed in the 15th Congress his LRT bill (House Bill 92), which he said may be passed before this term ends.

This transport system will link the cities of Mandaue, Cebu, and Talisay with Minglanilla town, Naga City, San Fernando town, Carcar City, Sibonga, Argao, and Dalaguete towns.

The tunnel proposal meanwhile has been a plan since 1984 when Japanese economists crafted the Cebu Masterplan, he said.

Two bridges may have existed between then and now, but the veteran lawmaker said these have still not solved the bumper-to-bumper traffic problem in going to and from the two islands.

Hence, a tunnel that this time will connect Lapu-Lapu to the southern part of the province will then become a solution.

Gullas has yet to file a bill for it yet.

The water dam project, on the other hand, is set to start once RA 9486 or the Central Cebu Protective Landscape (CPPL) gets fully implemented.

Gullas, author of the CCPL law, said this law provides for the construction of dams within the watershed areas, to better supply water to the entire province. This law identifies the watershed reserves of Buhisan, Mananga in Talisay City, Sudlon National Park, the Central Cebu National Park, and the Kotkot-Lusaran as part of the Cebu Central Protective Landscape.

His CEDZ, meanwhile, once approved in Congress, will "spur growth" in Cebu's construction industry.

"All economic zones will draw investors and investments. And when they are there, that means a progressive construction industry," he said.

The congressman also assured the PCA and CCA members to sponsor bills for them if need be.

"You construct edifices, I craft law. But together, we are builders of our nation," said Gullas. (THE FREEMAN)