Senators led the topping-off ceremony of the new Senate Building in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on Thursday, July 20.
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri initiated the rites, joined by Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda, Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva, Senators Nancy Binay, Cynthia Villar, JV Ejercito, Ronald dela Rosa, and Bong Go.
The senate leaders were accompanied by former Senate President Tito Sotto, former Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan, Bases Conversion and Development Authority Chairperson Delfin Lorenzana, and Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano.
Binay, the chairperson of the Senate accounts committee, noted that the topping-off ceremony is in line with the Senate’s goal to open the building for partial operations by July 2024.
"May instruction kasi si Senate President Zubiri to conduct the opening of session next year sa Bagong Senado," said Binay.
"Ang topping-off ay isang tradition na ginagawa para gunitain ang pagkumpleto sa structural frame ng isang building sa pamamagitan ng pagkabit ng huling structural beam nito," she added.
In addition, the senator stated that the New Senate Building seeks to be one of the first "green building-certified facilities" under the Building for Ecologically Responsive Design Excellence (BERDE) Program.
"In the face of climate change, the government should walk the talk in promoting the use of sustainable structures," said Binay.
It has been said that the NSB integrates sustainable features such as energy-efficient systems, water conservation measures, and the use of eco-friendly materials and would consume between 30% and 50% less energy than standard buildings.
The committee of accounts' then-chairman, former senator Panfilo Lacson, addressed the issue of the necessity to move to a new location due to growing space constraints and the need for improved facilities during the 17th Congress, which led to the approval of the building of the New Senate Building.
