REP. Gerard Anthony “Samsam” Gullas (Cebu, 1st District) urged Cebu leaders to listen to what the Singaporean experts have to say about the proposed Light Rail Transit (LRT).
He said they are now just waiting for the Singapore-based firm to enlighten them about the results of their study, which started last July.
The congressman said establishing an LRT from the north to south of Cebu can spark development in the rural areas.
He also said it will decongest the traffic in Metro Cebu since motorists will take the mass transport system instead of driving their own cars.
Gullas said he is happy that Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Dino is supportive of the project.
“I already gave him (Dino) the findings of the LRT study before so they can look at it. Hopefully the LRT can be implemented under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte,” Gullas said.
The study he is referring to is the one conducted by the Ama Group Holdings Inc. when Talisay Mayor Eduardo Gullas was still a congressman.
Ama Group proposed that the LRT will be placed from the experiment station of the Department of Agriculture in Mandaue City to Lawaan, Talisay City.
A mono rail transit (MRT) will then be established from Talisay to Dalaguete and from Mandaue City to Catmon.
“Whether the Ama study or the Singaporean study will be used, the most important thing is the realization of the LRT project. We will listen to what the Singaporean firm has to say,” Gullas said.
Dino earlier said they have decided to talk with the Singaporean experts about the LRT because of the narrow roads in Cebu.
He said the study will be at no cost to the government. It will be bidded out to bring down the fares.
Dino said they are also planning to construct a fourth bridge that will connect LRT to Mactan Cebu International Airport.
He said the feasibility study for these will be conducted from November to December this year. The detailed engineering will be then be done for at least nine to 12 months.
Dino is targeting that the LRT as well as the subway and the fourth bridge will be completed before the term of Duterte ends in 2022.