Gullas used P24M from pork barrel to build plaza

REP. Eduardo Gullas (Cebu, 1st district) spent more than P24 million to build the European-inspired plaza in front of the Talisay City Hall in Barangay Lawaan 2.

Daisy Toledo, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Second Engineering District head, told Sun.Star Cebu yesterday that Gullas, through his Priority Development Assistance Fund, appropriated around P24.5 million for the project.

Toledo said the plaza’s construction was divided into three phases. Gullas appropriate P13 million for the first phase of construction; P8 million for the second phase; and P3.5 million for the final phase. The official contractor of the project is QM Builders.

Construction of the plaza is ongoing and more enhancements might be added, depending on the proponent’s decision to provide additional appropriations, Toledo said.

‘Too much’

Members of the City’s opposition, though, urged the public to scrutinize the amount, which they believe to be too much for one structure.

“We are spending that much for a plaza that doesn’t even reflect the city’s history and culture,” said City Councilor Romeo Villarante, who earlier asked Gullas to reveal how much the latter spent on the project.

Mayoral candidate John-ny delos Reyes said the P2.4 million could have been spent on the poor or used to purchase equipment for the district hospital.

Delos Reyes is up against Gullas, who is on his last term in Congress.