Gullas seeks Dino’s help in lobbying for LRT project

GULLAS

Rep. Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas of Cebu’s 1st district sought help from Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Dino to fund the construction of a light rail transit (LRT) system in Metro Cebu.

Gullas told reporters that he met Dino last Monday and was happy to learn that his district will be among the beneficiaries of an LRT system.

The proposed LRT project will traverse the cities of Talisay, Naga and Carcar and the towns of Minglanilla and San Fernando in southern Cebu.

Gullas said the “first district of Cebu will be helped tremendously” by the project.

Gullas plans to re-file the bill seeking to implement the LRT system next Monday, July 25, during the opening of the 16th Congress.

House Bill 1338 was previously filed in 2013 but it was referred to the House Committee on Transportation.

Gullas said the LRT system will co-exist with the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project.

“The good thing now is Cebu has someone we can lean on when we need projects. I’m happy that President Duterte picked a secretary that will help Cebu 100 percent,” Gullas said.

Jonji Gonzales, Dino’s chief of staff, said the meeting was also an avenue for both officials to know each other.

Gullas earlier supported the candidacy of Liberal Party (LP) standard-bearer Mar Roxas while Dino was one of the organizers of the Bisaya Napud Movement that supported then Davao City mayor Rodrigo Duterte’s presidential bid.

Gonzales said they disregarded their political inclinations and discussed what better projects could benefit the Cebuanos.

Gonzales said the LRT system for Metro Cebu is now under study as their office is tapping local and foreign experts to craft the feasibility study of this project.