Does Congress need a brand-new building? -- Leonor Magtolis Briones
LEONOR MAGTOLIS BRIONES/abs-cbnNEWS.com | 10/20/2008 1:00 AM
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THE BUSINESS OF GOVERNANCE
At the height of the feverish preparations for the 2008 SONA last July, the media made noises about the cost of restoring the bombed portions of the Congress building and the renovations in the chambers of the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Remarks were made about the expensive comfort rooms and new furnishings. All told, the cost of renovations reportedly reached P200 million.
An insider said that the renovations were just the tip of the iceberg. A brand new building was also coming up for Congress. The provision in the 2009 budget is for P330 million. Since the 2009 budget was not yet submitted by the Office of the President, I thought it was not the time to write about it.
Last week, Sherrie Ann Torres of Channel 5 interviewed me about the very same budget item. While examining specific items in the Department of Public Works and Highways budget for 2009, she came across an item for P330 million for a new Congress building. She saw it in the House Bill for the 2009 budget which is up for third reading on November 10.
Sherrie asked, “Can this item be considered an insertion since it is in the House Bill? My answer: “ If it is included in the President’s proposed New Expenditures Program (NEP) it cannot be an insertion since it is an original proposal.” We checked and indeed, it is in the NEP.
The next question is: Can this item be considered as the gift of the Executive to the Legislature? My answer: “I do not have any information on that. Congressmen who may want to raise questions can ask if the new building is urgently needed by Congress at this time.”
I told Sherrie that budgeting is the process of making choices in allocating limited resources. The assumption is that needs are always much greater than available resources; hence choices have to be made.
I further explained that if Congress has P330 million to spare, what does it consider to be the most urgent need of the country? It can choose among a new building for itself, additional schoolhouses, toilets and other facilities for existing school buildings, additional buildings for state colleges and universities, laboratory equipment and facilities, hospitals and clinics—the list is endless. Where can P330 million be put to the best use?
It is a P750-million building!
Things are getting “curiouser and curiouser,” to use language from Alice in Wonderland. Sherrie’s questions aroused my interest so I asked around for more information. As it turns out, the building is estimated to have a final cost of P750 million! This estimate is corroborated by sources from Congress and DPWH.
The saga started in 2006 during the time of Speaker de Venecia when Congress claimed savings of P70 million. However, the bidding for the foundation started only in 2007. In 2008, P300 million was allocated for the framework structure. The 2009 allocation of Ph330 million will be for completing it. This makes for a total of P700 million. However, my DPWH source insists that the total estimate is Ph750 million. Perhaps other sources will be tapped? By the way, this will be charged to NCR DPWH.
Insiders in Congress say that the original estimate was only for P500 million. Somehow it escalated to P750 million. They say that DPWH handled the bidding for the contractor since it is charged to their department. On the other hand, DPWH sources say that the item was placed in their budget at the instance of Congress.
The renovations cost P200 million and the new building will entail P750 million. This means that the total cost of Congress’ face-lifting and new structures will amount to nearly a billion.
Different views
Cong. Roilo Golez has stated that he has no objection to the construction of a new building. Congress needs more space. He said that this building will be used by future congressmen . On the other hand, Cong. Matias Defensor said the construction should be stopped in the meantime. Times are difficult and there are other urgent needs to attend to.
Insiders say that while it is true that additional space might be needed, the costing must be carefully reviewed and the sharp escalation in price reexamined.
I wonder what the public will say.
Storm signals
There are signs that the impact of the external and domestic crises is building up. Anecdotal stories about overseas Filipinos losing jobs and savings are increasing. There are accounts of OFWs coming home. Decreases in overseas remittances are already felt.
Reports of increasing unemployment needed to be verified.
It is said that the Philippines is an island of calm. The calm before the storm?