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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Castro blasts proposed House transfer to Bonifacio Global City amid new Senate building controversy 

Castro blasts proposed House transfer to Bonifacio Global City amid new Senate building controversy 

Published Jun 14, 2024 05:05 am

At A Glance

  • Makabayan solon ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro shot down the proposed transfer of the House of Representatives to the posh Bonifacio Global City (BGC) in Taguig amid the controversy surrounding the new Senate building there (NSB). 

IMG-101ebcc8139272a4bd6c0814f0f3cc9f-V.jpgACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro (Contributed photo)

 

 

 

 

 

 



Makabayan solon ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro shot down the proposed transfer of the House of Representatives to the posh Bonifacio Global City (BGC) in Taguig amid the controversy surrounding the new Senate building there (NSB). 

"We firmly reject plans to transfer the House of Representatives to BGC. Based on studies, an overwhelming majority of Congress employees themselves are against this relocation proposal," Castro said in a statement Friday, June 14. 

"We are against wasting billions of pesos on an unnecessary transfer to the business district of BGC, where property values reach almost P1 million per square meter. The current House premises are more than adequate and spacious to serve the needs of legislators and staff," noted the deputy minority leader. 

Castro raised the matter of the House's proposed relocation to BGC even as the alleged costly construction of the NSB was getting panned. 

Shortly after Francis "Chiz" Escudero took over the Senate Presidency from Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri, it was learned that the running price tag of the NSB had ballooned from P8.9 billion to P23.3 billion. 

The 24-member Senate had been planning its relocation to BGC for years; proposals for the 300-plus member House to follow suit for the sake of legislative efficiency were only floated last year. 

Castro warned that relocating to the high-cost BGC would significantly increase living costs for House employees and worsen traffic challenges in accessing the premises. 

"BGC suffers from exorbitant costs of living and horrendous traffic. Relocating the House of Representatives, which is supposed to be the house of the people, to such an elite business enclave would only distance it further from the masses," she explained. 

The House members and their staff currently hold office at the sprawling Batasan Complex in Quezon City. 

Instead of pushing through with the ill-conceived relocation, Castro said the HOR leadership should just repair older rooms in the existing buildings at the complex. 

"They should also prioritize utilizing public resources to deliver genuine services for the people's welfare and interests," Castro added.

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Bonifacio Global City House of Representatives FRANCE CASTRO
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