The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is eyeing to finish the construction of its new office building in Pasay City by 2028.
At the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of its foundation, Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia said the Comelec is expecting the P8.2 billion project to be completed in three to four years.
“84 taon namin hinintyay ang pagkakataon na ito…Makapagpagawa na kami ng sariling building. Magsisimula ito ngayon at pipilitin nating tatapusin ito ng 3 to 4 taon lamang,” Garcia told reporters on the sidelines of the groundbreaking ceremony.
(For 84 years, we’ve been waiting for this opportunity…We can now build our own building. The construction will start today and we will strive to finish it in just 3 to 4 years.)
“Simbolo ito ng pagnanais ng Comelec na maging isang independent constitutional body at para rin mapatunayan na ang karangalan, diginidad, dangal at independence ng Commission ay nandyan. Ang building ay simbolo lamang subalit sa aming mga puso, isipin at damdamin, ‘yun tapat na paglilingkod sa sambayanan,” he said.
(This symbolizes the Commission on Elections’ desire to be an independent constitutional body, to prove that the honor, dignity, and independence of the Commission are intact. The building is just a symbol, but in our hearts, minds, and feelings, it represents genuine service to the people.)
The Comelec chief further said the establishment of the foundation of the office building is seen to be finished by five to six months. The construction of the infrastructure, meanwhile, may start in 2025.
“Ito pong budget namin ay na-approve noong 2019 pa. Kaya sadyang marapat lang na magkaroon ng adjustments sapagkat hindi na ‘yun ang tamang computation,” said Garcia.
(Our budget was approved as early as 2019, so it’s only fitting that we make adjustments since the original computation is no longer accurate.)
“At this point, tinuloy na namin para may mapagsimulan…Naniniwala tayo basta may masimulan, magde-derecho na ‘yan,” he added.
(At this point, we’ve pushed through with it so we can have something to start with…We believe that as long as we have a starting point, things will eventually fall into place.)
In September 2022, the poll body defended its project, saying it is a “necessity” as the nine-story office building would lessen the Comelec’s expenses and would house their needed facilities including warehouses for the storage of their equipment.
The Comelec is currently renting various buildings, including several floors at the Palacio del Gobernador in Intramuros, Manila. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
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