Senators question Makati's P350-M budget for office relocation

Senators on Thursday criticized as exorbitant Makati City's P350-million allocation for the transfer of its urban planning office and data center to the allegedly overpriced P2.7-billion Makati City Hall Building 2.

The construction of the controversial office and parking complex started when Vice President Jejomar Binay was mayor of the city. He and his son, incumbent Mayor Junjun Binay, are facing plunder raps before the Ombudsman in connection with the allegedly padded construction cost.

"So, yan na po yata ang pinakamahal na paglipat ng isang opisina sa buong mundo. P350 million. Ni hindi na nga po magpapamasahe diyan eh, he added.

Lorenza Amores, head of the city's budget department, said the allocation was for the transfer of the Urban Development and Planning Department but no money has been disbursed yet.

Engineer Merlina Panganiban, urban development officer, said the amount was for the transfer of the office which was composed of many divisions. Panganiban, however, said the bulk of the amount would be for the transfer of the citys data center.

Lahat ng transaction sa Makati ay doon nanggagaling sa data center. Lahat ng connections ay nandito. Ang idea ay kailangan mong paandarin mo muna ito bago patayin ang old data center. You need to buy new equipment, yun ang dapat ilagay sa bagong data center, Panganiban said.

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Senators question Makati's P350-M budget for office relocation