Senator Nancy Binay emphasized on Monday that the Senate cannot afford further delays in constructing its new building in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, as postponements might lead to additional costs.
Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero ordered a suspension and review of the construction, citing concerns over the budget increase from P8.9 billion to P23 billion. Binay, who previously oversaw the construction as chairperson of the committee on accounts, urged a swift review to avoid unnecessary expenses due to delays.
"There is a sense of urgency to complete the construction by 2025. Delays would mean cost adjustments, additional charges, penalties, and another round of rental," Binay stated. "Each day of delay has cost implications."
Binay also expressed surprise at Escudero's concerns, noting that he could have been better informed if he had engaged earlier. "If he had time to ask and find out the developments on the construction, he would have gotten a clearer explanation about his concerns and could have given inputs on how we can save more."
Addressing Escudero's concern about parking, Binay clarified that the new building includes a three-level basement for vehicles, dismissing claims of insufficient parking as "fake news."
She highlighted that during her term, all senators were invited for inspections and briefings about the project's progress. "If SP only talked to me, I could have given him clear and factual info on the matter, instead of relying on gossipers."
Escudero's decision followed a detailed report from Cayetano on "escalating costs, quality issues, and management inefficiencies" related to the project.
Former Senator Panfilo Lacson explained that the new total cost of P23.3 billion includes land acquisition expenses, with real estate values having significantly appreciated since the project's inception.
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