Gullas will move to defer approval of DOTC budget

CEBU, Philippines – For reason that it has failed to follow an order issued by its former secretary, Rep. Eduardo Gullas is set to move for the deferment of the approval of the Department of Transportation and Communications' (DoTC) budget in next week's plenary.

"I will move to defer (the approval) when the budget of DOTC will be

on board on the 14th (of October) for reason that despite the order of (former) Secretary (Leandro) Mendoza to move back the LTO to the (Talisay) city hall from the South Central Square...until now, it's still there," said Gullas in a press conference.

Gullas said that from the start he has been vocal about its transfer as it is "disadvantageous to the government."

The LTO extension office was transferred to the South Central Square, a private commercial building in barangay Lawaan III, Talisay City, on November of 2008.

Under the memorandum of agreement entered into by Mateo Velasco, representing Matvel Holdings Corp--owner of the private building, the LTO could use the building for free via a usufruct contract for 25 years.

The MOA was signed on May 14, 2007 by Velasco and then LTO-7 director Alex Leyson.

Gullas said the move was "disadvantageous" to the government, as the LTO now has to pay for maintenance, telephone, water and security, whereas, when it was still operating at the city hall, "everything" was for free there. And that the parking space was wide at the city hall's five-hectare property, compared to its new location where space is "meager."

Apart from that, the agreement has also caused "detriment" to future investors as Velasco's company has "collared" all business transactions there from medical check-up for driver's license applications to smoke-emission testing for vehicle registration, Gullas said.

In a reply to the letter sent to him by LTO chief Arturo Lomibao, Mendoza October 9 last year concurred to the latter's recommendation that the MOA should be rescinded "because it is disadvantageous to the government."

Shortly after, LTO 7 director Raul Aguilos directed LTO-Talisay chief Bernardo Borromeo to look and negotiate for another relocation site.

April 10 this year, Mayor Socrates Fernandez approved Borromeo's request that they could go back to the city hall.

However, Aguilos had changed his mind and refused to allow the

transfer as it would violate the MOA.

Gullas said he is set to meet DOTC secretary Jose de Jesus this Monday to talk to him about the issue, but insisted that until the LTO-Talisay is not moved back to the city hall before Thursday, he would still continue his plan to request that the approval of the DOTC budget be suspended. (FREEMAN)