Delays in Construction of New Senate Building in Taguig Extend Beyond 850 Days

Taguig City – The construction of the new multi-billion peso Senate building in Taguig City has experienced a significant delay of 852 days, with no definitive completion date in sight, officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) reported on Wednesday.

According to Philippines News Agency, DPWH’s Buildings and Special Projects Management Cluster (BSPMC) Project Director, during a Senate Committee on Accounts hearing led by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, the delays are attributed to “approved variation orders” rather than ongoing reviews or political interference. “Because of the approved variation orders, there are also corresponding time extensions so for now, as presented in our accomplishment report, our slippage is still positive,” Florencio stated. She also clarified that neither Senator Cayetano nor Senate President Francis Escudero were responsible for the project’s delays.

The hearing revealed escalating costs associated with the construction. Initially budgeted at PHP8.9 billion, the project’s expenditures have soared to an estimated PHP23.379 billion. This total includes PHP8.9 billion for the building’s core and shell, PHP2.5 billion for interior fit-outs, and PHP10.33 billion for remaining construction works, with an additional PHP1.6 billion spent on land acquisition.

The discussion over the project’s costs led to a contentious exchange between Senator Cayetano and Senator Nancy Binay. Binay contested the total presented, arguing that the land acquisition cost should not be lumped with construction expenses. “The mere fact that the amount was brought up, I don’t know what the intention is anymore,” Binay expressed in a separate interview after walking out of the hearing. She emphasized that the focus should remain solely on the construction costs.

Further tensions arose as Cayetano accused Binay of delaying the approval of a PHP600 million landscaping plan since 2023, allegations Binay denied, asserting her office was thoroughly reviewing the plans. Cayetano suggested that political motives linked to local rivalries might be influencing the project’s scrutiny.