Lacson: Senate chose firm with lowest project cost for new building

Amid allegations of possible overpricing, Senator Panfilo Lacson assured the public Wednesday that the chamber chose the architectural firm that submitted the lowest project cost and the best design for the new Philippine Senate building.

“Isa sa primary consideration na ginamit ng aming mga kasamahan ay cost. Kasi ‘yung ibang competitors ang pinakamababa nilang project cost ay P8 billion. ‘Yung isang Filipino firm nanghihinayang kami kasi nga maganda yung kanyang concept pero yung project cost na sinubmit niya nasa P13 billion,” Lacson said in an interview on Double B sa News TV.

He said the senators do not want to splurge on the construction of the new building.

“Sabi ng mga kasamahan ko parang unconscionable naman na merong nagsasubmit ng project cost na P4.58 billion tapos halos pare-pareho naman magaganda ang design — iconic, green, functional, secure. Pinili ng mga kasamahan ko ang pinakamababa so to say na walang konsensiya ang mga senador ay hindi tama,” he added.

Lacson was reacting to the column of former presidential spokesperson Rigoberto Tiglao questioning the propriety of constructing a new Senate building at the Navy Village in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig which, the latter alleged, would cost P10 billion to 12 billion.

The Senate has chosen AECOM Philippines as the winner of the Global Conceptual Design Competition for the new Philippine Senate building which would be constructed at the 18,320 square meter parcel of land owned by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA).

AECOM submitted the lowest project cost at P4.58 billion.

DPWH parameters 

Lacson said AECOM won because it followed the parameters set by the Department of Public Works and Highways.

“‘Yung sinumbmit ng AECOM ay P46,000 per square meters. Isa sa parameter ay dapat susunod sila sa P40,000 to P50,000 per square meters, sumunod kami sa  parameters ng DPWH. Above that or beyond that medyo mag-e-explain na kami sa Commission on Audit,” he said.

He said they considered the 25-hectare land donated by the Antipolo government to be the new site of the Senate building, but they thought about the cost of land development and accessibility.

“Dalawa lang nag-offer, BCDA and Antipolo. Antipolo, donation 25 hectares pero na-consider namin accessibility and land development costs. Kung pagawa kami ng building, paano ka pupunta roon? Papagawa ka ng kalsada papunta roon, papa-develop mo ang area, utilities and all. Ganoon din, baka mas mahal pa aabutin,” he said.

He said the Fort Bonifacio area is already being developed and accessible to most people.

“As per DPWH sabi nila mag-widen sila ng Lawton Avenue, Lawton Street. Kasi Navy Village ito dati. So magiging six-lane road ‘yan sa halip na four-lane ngayon. At ang proyekto na ginagawa ngayon magkakaroon ng access from SLEX and Skyway kasi ginagawa ang ramp papunta sa C5. So yan ang factors considered,” he said.

Lacson further said the Senate will pay for the land that will be the location of its new building for 10 years.

“May contract kaming pinirmahan at nag-down kami ng P600 million sa BCDA. At ito ay hulugan, 10 years to pay, may grace period pa. If I recall correctly even more than 10 years ang hulog. So ang kwenta ng aming staff, technical evaluation committee, ang hulog sa GSIS and SSS, in 15 years self-liquidating na, sarili pa namin ang building. So ano ang mas practical?” he said.

He said the senators deemed it better to have its own building than rent. He said for nearly 20 years, the Senate has been paying rental fees worth P127 million per year or P2.24 billion to the Government Service Insurance System and P5 million to the Social Security System for the parking spaces.

He said the cost of lease payments have become enough to construct a permanent, iconic home for the Senate.

He added the project is not for him or any member of the present Senate in the 17th Congress, but for the future generations of legislators and the Filipino people.

“Sabi nila masyado kaming selfish. Hindi. Para ito sa future generations of legislators and the Filipino people na rin kasi parang may maipagmalaki tayo na may sariling building ang ating parliament o legislature,” he said. — Amita Legaspi/RSJ, GMA News