CEBU, Philippines - First district congressional aspirant Gerald Anthony “Samsam†Gullas yesterday defended his grandfather incumbent first district Representative Eduardo Gullas on the appropriation of P24.5 million for the construction of the Talisay Plaza through his Priority Development Assistance Fund.
Critics from the opposition said the plaza does not reflect the city’s culture and history as it is a European-inspired plaza and the amount could have been spent on the poor or should have been used to purchase equipment and medicines for the district hospital.
But Samsam said that his grandfather’s record of public service speaks for itself.
“They are saying that Congressman Gullas is not helping the poor? What about this public education and road improvement? Wala diay sila’y nakita sa gitabang ni Congressman Gullas? Ever since from the start, they have been criticizing me, Congressman Gullas and the administration,†Samsam said.
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Second Engineering District head Daisy Toledo said the plaza’s construction was divided into three phases - the first phase was appropriated P13 million while the second phase was P8 million.
The final phase gets P3.5 million.
Toledo said more enhancements will be added, which will depend on the proponent’s decision to provide additional appropriations.
“That project is for tourism. Dapat malipay ta sa maong proyekto. It’s the best plaza in Cebu,†Toledo said. (FREEMAN)