MANILA, Philippines - Renovations are in full swing at the Coconut Palace, where Vice President Jejomar Binay is set to hold office.

The library at the ground floor will be converted into his office. New furniture have been ordered, but the design and lay-out will remain the same.

An air conditioner is being  installed in what will become Binay's private bathroom. The sink and  toilet have been replaced.

Another room is being converted into a receiving room for visiting dignitaries and other guests.

A third room will be occupied by Binay's staff.

On the second floor, the Bicol room is being converted into Binay's private quarters

Outside, the rectangular pool is being renovated, too. The vice president believes the pool's current shape is bad feng-shui.

It's a renovation that's estimated to cost million of pesos, but Binay won't confirm exactly how much the Office of the Vice President has spent.

"Normal naman na magkaron ng renovations, ang dami ng anay, di pa ito na renovate simula 1976. Yung water systems, electrical," he said.

Rent for the Coconut Palace will cost taxpayers P400,000 a month, half the amount the OVP is currently spending to rent offices at the PNB Financial Center.

However, the Coconut Palace isn't big enough to house all 150  employees of the OVP, which means it has to continue renting a portion of the PNB offices.

The total rent amounts to P750,000 a month.

Austerity measures

Still, even with savings of up to P50,000 per month,  a non-government organization is criticizing Binay's decision to have 2 offices.

Harvey Keh, director for youth leadership at the Ateneo School of Government,  said it may not be timely for Binay to spend so much money on rent for his office, as the government is implementing austerity measures.

"Sabi nga ni President Aquino, ang minana nila ay isang bankrupt na pamahalaan, kaya kailangan nilang magtipid. Kaya sana si Binay, bilang VP, maging modelo nito," he said.

Keh added that Binay should limit renovations at the Coconut Palace. "Yun swimming pool kailangan ba talagang baguhin yun, hindi naman iyon bubuksan sa public, sayang yun gagastusin dun na daang libo."

Keh also said thousands of pesos in rent is better spent elsewhere. "Ngayon malapit na magpasukan,ang daming magulang namumrublema sa tuition ng mga anak nila, ilang scholarships na ang katumbas ng daang libo na binabayad sa renta lang ng opisina ng vice president? Ilang patrol cars na ang mabibili."

He urged the OVP look for a building owned by the government to house its employees who are not transferring with Binay at the Coconut Palace to save on rent, rather than maintaining one floor at the PNB Financial Center.

Binay, however, said there's nothing wrong with his decision to transfer to another office.

"Hindi ito sa pagiging maluho, its about giving dignity to the Office of the Vice President." Binay said.