by Filane Mikee Cervantes/PNA
Senate President Vicente Sotto III, along with 10 other senators, led on Monday the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a new Senate Building at the Navy Village in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.
During the ceremony, Sotto was joined by Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, and Senators Panfilo Lacson, Sonny Angara, Nancy Binay, Sherwin Gatchalian, Loren Legarda, Joel Villanueva, and Gregorio Honasan II.
“It has been a long time coming. It took decades for this dream to materialize but this I tell you when the building finally stands on this side it will have been worth the wait,” Sotto said.
The building’s cost is pegged at PHP8.9 billion, and its construction is expected to be completed by 2021.
The Senate’s new home will rise on a 18,320-square meter land with four towers, 11 floors each and three basements with at least 1,200 parking spaces.
Department of Public Works and Highways Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo said the building’s design is envisioned to be “green, secure, functional, and iconic.”
Bernardo said the new building will not only signify resiliency, but would also exude modernity and progress.
“Finally, after years of wishful thinking and planning the Senate of the Philippines will finally have a new home,” Bernardo said during the ceremony.
“The project is in line with the Senate’s vision, “Bagong Senado sa Ika-2 Siglo” which is to build a permanent home for it commemorates its 100-year legacy and ushers in its next centenary,” Bernardo added.
Bernardo highlighted that the building would be patterned after the Barong Tagalog to herald the “country’s iconic symbol of honor and Filipino culture.”
