Chiz signs architectural, engineering design of new Senate building

Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero on Thursday said he has signed the detailed architectural and engineering design (DAED) of the new Senate building being constructed in Taguig City. 

At a press conference, Escudero revealed that it was the first time that the Senate’s new home, which has been receiving billions from the General Appropriations Act (GAA) every year, had a DAED since its construction began in 2019. 

“Ito ang kauna-unahang pagkakataon… na nagkaroon ng DAED ang building na ito na dapat sana ay meron na bago pa man simulan ang building construction ng anumang building. But finally meron na. Para itong roadmap, ika nga, hindi lang plano pero detailed nga,” the senate president said. 

(This is the first time that this building has a DAED, which should have been there before any building construction even started. But finally we already have one. It’s like a roadmap, not just a plan, but a detailed one.) 

“Inayunan namin sa pamamagitan ng pagbi-bid ng mga amounts na kailangang gawin, trabahong kailangang gampanan. Kung ano ang magiging suma tutal nito sa mga susunod na linggo, dahil nga meron nang kumpletong plano hanggang sa matapos ang building,” he added. 

(This was agreed through the bidding of the amounts needed, the work that needs to be done. Whatever will happen in the coming weeks, it’s because there is already a complete plan until the building is finished.) 

According to Escudero, there will be a ceremonial signing with stakeholders and inspection of the new Senate building next week.  

“Para makita niyo na rin siguro kung nasaang stage na nga ba ito. Para maniwala kayo ‘pag sinabi ko na hindi pa kaya sa kasalukuyang taon,” he said. 

(This is so you can see what stage the new Senate building is in. So you can believe me when I say that it cannot be finished this year.) 

A total of P4.2 billion was appropriated for the new Senate building in the 2025 national budget, bringing the total allocation to the structure to P23.5 billion since 2018. —RF, GMA Integrated News