Senate bungles opportunity (2)
A proposal of Senator Risa Hontiveros to relocate the Senate to Antipolo lost to the motion of former Senator Richard Gordon for the Senate to be in Bonifacio Global City.
According to a reliable source from the Commission on Elections, it contributed to her victory in the last elections and represented one bungled opportunity by the Senate to have, by now, built a new iconic legislative building, competitive among the world’s best on the hills of Antipolo along the green valley of Marikina. It stood against one that may still be finished two years from now when traffic and pollution could be a problem in the crowded area of BGC in Taguig City.
Two figures stood tall in the saga of putting up the New Senate Building: Senator Panfilo M. Lacson for sponsoring
its relocation, and Senator
“Hontiveros objected as she placed on record she would vote for the alternative location which is Antipolo.
Hontiveros for her choice of Antipolo as its new site. Lacson, in his sponsorship speech, touched on aesthetic appreciation including the project’s architectural design that would emulate the “stunning and well-known parliament buildings around the world.” He showed awareness of the special qualities inherent in architectural designs and structures and lived up to the words of the Chinese-American architect I.M. Pei who said “buildings are the true reflection of society, that you have to cast your eyes in those structures to feel the presence of the past and the spirit of the place.” Lacson had only one interest which is relocation. He said talks of finding a new home for the Senate is actually a 17-year-old idea; and that the rentals paid by the Senate to the Government Service Insurance System from 1 May 1996 to 31 December 2017 amounted to P2.24 billion, a sum probably enough to construct an iconic permanent Senate building. After presenting all the facts and circumstances, Lacson left to the entire Senate body the decision to determine the relocation site — whether to move to Antipolo City, Rizal province, or Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.
Senator Franklin Drilon said Lacson presented a very detailed study on the need to relocate the Senate of the Philippines.
Senators Grace Poe and Gordon acknowledged the hard work of Lacson for coming up with a very detailed analysis of the options to be taken by the Senate for its relocation plans.
Poe pointed out two things that must be considered: first, the outward development that the Senate might push if it relocates outside Metropolitan areas; and second, the already crowded financial district because BCG is already an established area where business is thriving.
She asked whether there is a parallel plan, for instance, from the Department of Transportation and the Department of Public Works and Highways, so that the accessibility of the thousands of people working in the area would not be disrupted or caused more problems to the traffic situation if the Senate and the Lower House relocate in the area.
Poe also lauded Lacson for taking into consideration the possible problem of traffic. She suggested that the committee coordinate with DPWH and other related agencies as the body continues to discuss the architectural designs and deliberations for the planning of the structure to ensure the proper traffic flow in the area.
Thereupon, Gordon moved that the Senate be transferred to the BGC.
Hontiveros objected as she placed on record she would vote for the alternative location which is Antipolo.
Submitted to a vote, with the majority of the senators voting in favor, the motion of Gordon for the Senate to relocate to the Bonifacio Global City was approved.
Lacson, in his sponsorship speech, touched on aesthetic appreciation including the project’s architectural design that would emulate the “stunning and wellknown parliament buildings around the world.