SOLVING the flooding in some areas of Talisay City, improving garbage collection and eradicating illegal drugs are among the top priorities of Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas, who was elected mayor of the city in the midterm elections last May 13.

He will succeed his grandfather Eduardo Sr., who won the first district’s seat in the House of Representatives.

“I will implement a consultative type of leadership,” he said.

Gullas said he will consult the barangay officials on how to properly implement projects that would benefit his constituents.

In the 2016 elections, Eduardo Sr. ran for mayor and defeated then Talisay City mayor Johnny delos Reyes, while the younger Gullas won the district’s seat in the Lower House.

Gullas plans to accomplish his plans by closely consulting his constituents through the barangay leaders.

He hopes to solve the perennial problem of flooding that is often felt in some barangays of the city, particularly in Poblacion, Pooc, Biasong, Lawaan 1 and Bulacao.

Gullas also wants to improve garbage collection through proper coordination with the barangays, but he has yet to decide whether he will continue his grandfather’s plan to privatize the city’s garbage collection and disposal.

As to solving the illegal drug problem, Gullas said he will closely work with the local police.

He plans to provide aftercare services for drug surrenderers and construct a home for children who lost their parents in the government’s war on drugs.

Gullas believes that by addressing the city’s pressing problems early in his three-year term, his administration could focus on restoring its ventures in the tourism industry. (JKV)