Senator Alan Peter Cayetano provided updates on the ongoing factual and independent review of the New Senate Building (NSB) project, sharing concerns about the updated timeline and cost estimates.
“Since we started the review of the project, we haven’t made any accusations or allegations, we’re just fact-finding,” he told reporters recently.
Cayetano, who chairs the Senate Committee on Accounts which is tasked to oversee the NSB review, revealed that his office recently received a letter from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), forwarded through Senate President Chiz Escudero.
According to the DPWH’s letter, the projected construction duration for Phase 3 of the building is now between 36 to 48 months, excluding aesthetic, interior fit-out works, and Building Electronics Systems.
Calling the timeline unacceptable, the veteran legislator said he promptly wrote back to the department to reconsider the construction schedule as such a duration could be enough to complete an entirely new building.
The seasoned lawmaker further noted that the project’s Revised Detailed Architectural and Engineering Designs (R-DAEDS) were only finalized last month.
Before the senator assumed the chairmanship of the Accounts Committee, the NSB had neither a set price nor final engineering and architectural plans.
According to him, this brings the projected cost of the building to P31.67 billion, or P33.07 billion if the furniture and land are included.
“Hindi rin acceptable kay Senate President ‘yung P31.6 billion na building cost or P33 billion na total project cost.”
“It’s only now that we have a timeline and overall project cost, but hindi acceptable ‘yung timeline na three to four years. And hindi rin acceptable kay Senate President ‘yung P31.6 billion na building cost or P33 billion na total project cost,” he explained.
Cayetano said his committee is working on forming a “new” Senate Coordinating Team (SCT) to streamline internal processes and has asked the DPWH to do the same.
“We’re going to put up a new Senate coordinating committee kasi nga maraming, for lack of a better word, red tape, too many people, and too many levels.”
“We’re going to put up a new Senate coordinating committee kasi nga maraming, for lack of a better word, red tape, too many people, and too many levels. But we’re asking the DPWH to mirror ‘yung gagawin namin kasi paikot-ikot din sa iba’t ibang proseso nila,” he said.
Cayetano said the main goal is to bring down the cost significantly without compromising quality and safety.
“Ang trabaho ko is to give an honest report that is comprehensive and factual, and to present to the Senate President and to all the senators a plan na matapos ng pinakamaganda sa least cost ‘yung Senate building,” he concluded.
