Rep. Gullas: Del Mar ‘a great man’

CEBU, Philippines — Statements of condolences continue to pour in for the family of veteran lawmaker and public servant, Cebu City North District Rep. Raul del Mar.

The 79-year-old congressman passed away Monday night at a hospital in Manila after several days of confinement.

Del Mar’s long-time friend, colleague and seatmate, Rep. Eduardo Gullas of Cebu’s first District, said he is sad that a great man who had made great things for Cebu, particularly Cebu City’s North District, has passed on.

Gullas recalled having collaborated with del Mar in several key legislations during the 9th, 10th, 13th, 14th and 18th Congress.

“We have worked with each other in several key important legislations including plans to introduce a Light Railway Transit (LRT) system in Metro Cebu,” Gullas said.

According to Gullas, he and del Mar, along with the late Cebu City South District Rep. Tony Cuenco, had pushed for the establishment of LRT in Metro Cebu since 1996.

“Despite that bill constantly rejected, we three continue to file that bill even after Tony retired from Congress years later,” Gullas added.

Del Mar’s fellow representative from Cebu City, Rodrigo Abellanosa of the South District, also described del Mar as one of the most remarkable statesmen in Congress.

“His continuous fight for freedom of the press will never be forgotten. His staunch dedication and commitment to improving the state of our nation and its people shall serve as an inspiration to many of us legislators in aspiring to live up to his legacy,” Abellanosa said.

Cebu Sixth District Rep. Emmarie Ouano-Dizon said Del Mar’s infrastructure projects changed the face of Cebu City’s North District and the lives of residents there. She thanked Del Mar “for showing us young and neophyte legislators the way to truly be the voice of our people.”

Lapu-Lapu City Rep. Paz Radaza echoed the sentiment.

“Dakong prebelihiyo ang makauban ka sa kongreso. Imong napa-ambit kanamo, hilabi na sa mga bag-o, ang kahanas sa usa ka magbabalaod,” she said.

(It was a big honor to work in Congress with you. You have shared, especially with us neophytes, your expertise as a legislator.)

Fourth District Rep. Janice Salimbangon described Del Mar “As an epitome of a dedicated public servant” while Third District Rep. Pablo John Garcia described him as “a good man and a respected legislator.”

Two of Del Mar’s most iconic contributions are the Cebu Port Authority (CPA) and the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA) created through pieces of legislation he authored in Congress.

The CPA was created through Republic Act 7621 while the MCIAA was created through RA 6958. He also authored RA 11291 or the Magna Carta of the Poor; RA 11037 or the National Feeding Program for Undernourished Children in Public Day Care, Kindergarten and Elementary Schools; RA 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act; RA 9593 or The Tourism Act of 2009; RA 9513 or the Renewable Energy Act of 2008; RA 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004; RA No. 9189 or the The Overseas Absentee Voting Act of 2003; RA 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002”; RA 9160 or the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2001. — FPL (FREEMAN)