New Senate Building Project Update 2025: Completion Date Adjustment and Key Milestones

The New Senate Building, standing 54 meters tall, is expected to be completed by late 2026 or early 2027, according to Senate President Chiz Escudero.

Intended to be the permanent home of the country’s legislators, the construction of the state-of-the-art facility began in 2019. However, as of March 2025, the project remains unfinished due to various challenges that have caused delays.

The project has encountered several challenges, including delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, budget revisions, and interruptions due to differences among Senate officials regarding the project’s cost and management. As the first quarter of the year nears its end, here are some updates on the construction of the new Senate Building.

Image via AECOM

Escalating Costs Halt Construction of New Senate Building

On June 10, 2024, AECOM put the construction of the new Senate building on hold due to cost surges beyond initial projections. Originally designed through a competition won by AECOM, the project aimed to deliver a contemporary and sustainable structure.

Groundbreaking took place on March 18, 2019, with an estimated budget of ₱8.9 billion and a target completion date of 2022. However, the COVID-19 pandemic halted construction, causing delays. Progress resumed in the following years, culminating in a topping-out ceremony on July 20, 2023, marking the completion of the structural phase.

On June 10, 2024, Senate President Chiz Escudero suspended construction after costs ballooned to ₱23.3 billion. He called for a comprehensive review before allowing the project to proceed.

The soaring budget has sparked controversy, with lawmakers questioning the sharp increase in expenses. Ongoing debates over funding have further stalled progress, leaving the fate of the new Senate building uncertain.

Budgetary Updates and Financial Challenges

The budget discussion for the construction of the New Senate Building has been, and continues to be, a complex process. Debates among senators arose regarding the necessity of further budget increases.

The 2025 National Budget includes an additional appropriation of PHP 4.2 billion as of February 2025. This brings the total allocation since 2018 to PHP 23.5 billion. This includes PHP 4 billion for final works to complete Phase III, PHP 209.76 million for the final installment for the land purchase, and PHP 33.435 million for maintenance and other operating expenses. 

Here’s a breakdown of the allocated budgets and the timeline for the different phases of the construction:

March 2019

• Phase I – PHP 8.9 billion, covered the core and shell structure

January 2023

• Phase II – PHP 2.5 billion, covered fit-out package and furnishings and tiles
• Total Cost: PHP 11.4 billion

March 2023

• Phase III – DPWH reported an additional PHP 7.3 billion for this phase
• The Senate side was to procure an additional P2.97 billion for specialty systems.
• Revised to PHP 10.33 billion to account for “works to complete.” 
• Estimated total project cost: PHP 21.7 billion

July 2024

•  The cost estimates did not account for inflation and other factors that led to suggesting that the total cost could range from PHP 25 to PHP 27 billion.

September 2024

• After completing the Revised Detailed Architectural and Engineering Designs (R-DAEDS), DPWH submitted the overall project cost revision of Phase 3 to PHP 10 billion, up from a previous estimate of PHP 7 billion.
• Senator Cayetano’s team provided an independent estimate of a staggering PHP 31.6 billion for the total project building cost.

January 2025

• The 2025 national budget appropriated PHP 4.2 billion for the new Senate building, bringing the total allocation since 2018 to PHP 23.5 billion.

Image via GMA Network

Construction Progress and Completion

According to an Instagram post by Senate President Chiz Escudero in February 2025, he visited the construction site of the New Senate Building in Taguig City. He mentioned that based on the briefing with DPWH, Phase I, which includes the core and shell, is now almost 86% complete, while Phase II is a little over 35% complete. 

Senate President Francis Escudero indicated that the new building is expected to be completed by late 2026 or early 2027. The Senate plans to transfer to the new facility by 2028, aligning with the terms of incoming senators. 

Escudero expressed confidence that there was no overpricing in the project. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that the building meets the Senate’s requirements and is completed within the projected timeline.