Samsam to Realign Funds to Talisay

First district Rep. Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas yesterday declared that if the road-widening will be stalled for long, he plans to realign the project’s funds to landslide-prone barangay Manipis in Talisay City. “If I were to have my way, I will realign the funds to Manipis,” said Gullas, in an interview with reporters.

The young Gullas was present in City of Naga Mayor Valdemar Chiong’s state of Naga address on Monday morning.

The neophyte congressman said they could place nets on the land-slide prone hills of Manipis in Talisay City as suggested by engineers.

This upland area of Talisay has been hit a countless of landslides. The latest was last week that the Mines and Geosciences Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-7 has warned residents to stay out of areas especially in Sitio Camp 6 as loose boulders and soil may slide anytime.

Gullas said funds could be reverted to the national coffers if these would not be used, but could be realigned to other projects.

The thought of realigning the funds for the road-widening from the cities of Naga to Carcar came after the project was stalled because of the refusal of some sectors to cut the Acacia trees lining along the national highway.

The DENR had earlier given the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to cut the centuries-old Acacia trees in Naga. But early this month, it changed its mind after the latter declared that there is no need to cut those trees.

DPWH’s change of heart came after some environmentalists protested to the move.

Local mayors had earlier threatened to sue the DENR for causing the delay, but also changed their minds later on, to which Gullas said is better since there is a more potent manner to address this concern.

Samsam said the mayors could pass a resolution recommending for the cutting of those trees, considering that these could pose dangers to the public and property. At least two fallen trees were reported in the past. No one was however injured in any of the two reported incidents.

“I won’t suggest filing a case. They should pass a resolution to DENR recommending for the cutting of trees,” said Gullas.

For his part, City of Naga Mayor Val Chiong echoed Gullas’ statement, saying they could easily replace the old trees with hundreds or even thousands of new ones.

Sibonga Mayor Lionel Bacaltos also shared the same statement, saying if a tree falls on the street of Carcar or Naga, they will also be affected since they use that route in going to Cebu City.