Senate eyes move to new building in Taguig by December 2026

INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Chiz Escudero said the earliest that senators can transfer to the New Senate Building in Taguig would be December 2026.

In an interview on Monday, Escudero disclosed this, adding that the latest would be December 2027.

As for the reason for the delay, the Senate chief pointed to the lack of a “detailed architectural and engineering design,” otherwise known as DAED.

“That’s why when I assumed office, I kept on asking how much [it will] take to finish it. How much do we need to finish it? How long will it take? Nobody could answer me because there was no DAED; the DAED was only completed under my watch in December of 2024,” he said over ANC’s Headstart.

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“So, now I could confidently answer you already, it will be finished in the earliest, if we’re lucky, meaning weather permitting and everything, supplies arriving on time, December 2026 at the latest, December 2027. For sure, for the 21st Congress, we will be there already,” he added.

Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, in October, said the New Senate Building in Taguig costs a whopping P33 billion, clarifying that the P33 billion includes furniture and land.

He said if these are not included, the building alone would cost P31.6 billion.

“The [project’s] total cost estimate is P33 billion if you include the furniture and the land. The cost estimate to complete the building is based on all information we have today without any design changes,” said Cayetano then.

“The cost estimate to update the building was updated with 2024 prices, and it comes from various sources, suppliers, [and] consultants,” he added.

The issues surrounding the building first erupted after Escudero ordered a review of the establishment’s cost.

This, after he was informed by Cayetano about an apparent “dramatic increase” in the building’s construction rate.