Comission on Elections Chairperson George Garcia announced Monday that the Department of Budget and Management has allotted P500 million for the initial phase of the construction of the poll body’s main building in Pasay City.
In an ambush interview, he expressed hope Congress will give an additional budget for the construction of their new building.
“With God’s mercy and guidance, the Department of Budget and Management gave us a budget of half a billion to start. Of course, when it comes to Congress, maybe half a billion will be given and increased for the construction of our building, but whatever it is, at least something can be started to build our new building,” he said.
Garcia explained that they are not asking for a huge budget, saying that the construction can be appropriated in the succeeding years.
“Of course, we understand the importance of our government in responding to our countrymen because of the pandemic that has afflicted our country, especially in our food security. But we are not asking for a huge budget and even if it is a meager amount, we can start,” he said.
“We said, if it can be multi-year, the construction of our building is not a one-off,” he added.
Garcia stated that the three-hectare headquarters will be a “green building” where all of their needs, including the warehouse for the vote counting machines, will also be placed on the property.
He expects that the construction of the poll body’s new headquarters will be finished between four to five years if the funding will be continuous.