While I agree with Senate President Francis Escudero’s decision to review the new P23.3B cost of the Senate building from the original P8.9B estimate when we started the construction, I would like to clarify the following:
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is the implementing agency so it submits cost estimates and VOs (variation orders). However, at the end of the day, it is the Senate that will accept or not the proposed additional budget allocations of the DPWH.
What I understand, based on my own inquiry with my former staff/team of consultants who eventually joined Sen. Nancy Binay who succeeded me as the Senate Accounts Committee Chairperson under Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri – not a single peso of the P10.3B additional funds, while already part of the 2024 GAA and covered by MYCA (Multi Year Contractual Authority) has been awarded since Sen Nancy and her team have consistently objected to the DPWH’s requests for VO’s.
Further, the new total cost of P23.3B includes the cost of the fit-out accessories and technical components of the security system as well as the land acquisition which was valued at that time at P1.62B (at P90,000 per square meter) and has since tremendously appreciated in value. I understand, and this may not be accurate that the current real estate value in that same area is P500,000 per square meter.
Also, there is a multi-level basement parking provision to accommodate senators, their staff and employees. I’m not sure if it was modified.
Regarding the information on the senators’ office spaces in the new building, I will have to check since I acceded to Sen. Koko Pimentel’s request to accommodate at least 65 regionally elected senators in case the proposed amendment of the Constitution would materialize at that time. So, I cannot imagine that offices in the new Senate building could be smaller than the GSIS building presently occupied by the Senate.
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