Location, location, location

AFTER some time, the Senate is once again moving to a new home. Forward-thinking, I believe it’s about time the Senate should consider having a home to call its own, and not just rent. But equally, if not more important, is the newfound location of its new building. I understand that there were three proposed venues to choose from – BGC in Taguig City; Antipolo City in Rizal, and another suggestion was a farther move to Clark.

From what we’ve heard, the Senate has been engaged in the process of looking for a new home for some time. Last year, there were consultative hearings held on where the new Senate home should be located. When the winning design for the new Senate building was unveiled, the news reports said that the location would be at the Bonifacio Global City (BGC) in Taguig City.

Critics of the new location raised the problem of traffic in BGC. The limited entry and exit points sometimes serve as choke points and with the continuing pace of development in the area, we don’t see this abating anytime soon. Another issue is the new location’s proximity to the business establishments in the area. As seen in several government centers in the world, there is a considerable distance from the government buildings to the commercial centers, to provide a buffer for security purposes. Many well-known government centers in the world have a sprawling type of development in their designs.

Some pushed for Antipolo City, which offered to provide a 25-hectare property for free to serve as location for the new building. This by itself results in the saving of about 11.4 billion. There is enough space for housing for Senate staff. The roads to and from Antipolo City can supposedly handle the anticipated volume of vehicular traffic. There is also sufficient space and savings for 24 mansions to be built within the venue.

Another alternative pushed was for a new building to be built in Clark. If the current administration pushes through with its plan to relocate government offices in Clark, which is currently being done by the DOTr, then it makes a lot of sense to build there. Add that to the order of President Duterte to develop Clark International Airport as a more viable international gateway, and the plan of SMC to build a huge International airport in the province of Bulacan, then this provides added incentive for the move of the Senate to Clark. The main problem would probably be housing for the senators and Senate officials in Clark.

These arguments may seem like water under the bridge as BGC has gotten the Senate and Palace’s nod, but for observers such as myself, what is of primordial importance is that it finds a new home, fast. We want a Senate that is situated in an area that promotes accessibility. Accessibility to the people, who for all good intents and purposes, should be actively involved in our country’s legislative process. Its new home should be welcoming to the public, because we deserve to take part in consultations and debates. It should be an institution that warmly encourages us to engage in the most important issues of today.

Simply, the new Senate’s location ought to bring it closer to us, its duly mandated constituency. The institution is only as stable as the people it purports to serve and having it in a location that is less intimidating and more service-centric would perhaps send a more inclusive message to all.

However boring and tedious legislation looks on television, there is much to be said about our ability (or inability) to take part in our country’s law-making process. We have a voice. Sometimes singular or seemingly insignificant, but rightfully ours to articulate.

So, let this new home be a new beginning for the Filipino voter.