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.
In Mav Gonzales’ Wednesday report on “24 Oras,” construction of the Senate’s new home receives billions from the General Appropriations Act (GAA) every year, based on the study of GMA Integrated News Research.
The P4.2 billion budget for 2025 for the “Senate Relocation” will go to the following:
- P4B for final works to complete Phase III of the New Senate Building
- P209.76M for the final installment for the purchase of lot for the relocation of the Senate office
- P33.435 M for the maintenance and other operating expenses
The new Senate building is expected to be completed by 2027.
Based on the latest report of the Department of Public Works and Highways in the Senate, the estimated building cost has reached P31.6 billion, excluding the payment for the parcel of land and furniture.
This is equivalent to more than P240,000 per square meter.
If based on the Construction Cost Handbook Philippines 2024 of Arcadis Philippines Incorporated, the per-square-meter cost of a quality high-rise office could reach P183,000.
The report clarified that these are just the general industry guidelines and are not specific to the new Senate building. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/LDF, GMA Integrated News
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