SENATE President Francis “Chiz” G. Escudero is taking proactive steps to address parking challenges and other issues faced by Senate employees and visitors at their present location, pending their transfer to the New Senate Building in Taguig City.
During Monday’s flag-raising ceremony, Escudero emphasized the importance of ensuring adequate parking facilities, a significant problem at the Senate’s current location in the GSIS Building in Pasay City.
To mitigate this challenge, Escudero detailed the measures being undertaken to enhance parking spaces at the GSIS Building, which can serve as a model for future plans in the New Senate Building.
“Dito, anong ginagawa natin? Sinisikap nating maayos ang parking ng empleyado’t bisita ng Senado para sa mas maayos na kapaligiran. Kinuha na natin, hiningi natin, at hiniram natin ang lupa ng DPWH sa gawing kaliwa ko para makapagbigay ng humigit kumulang 300 na espasyo para sa parking,” he said.
In addition to securing land from the Department of Public Works and Highways, Escudero mentioned ongoing negotiations with the Social Security System to acquire more land at the back of the GSIS Building.
“Sa kabuuan, kaya nating makapagbigay ng humigi’t kumulang 1,400 slot para sa mga nagmo-motor at may sasakyan,” he said.
“Kaayusan kaugnay sa simpleng paniniwala at prinsipyo ko na maayos dapat ang lugar na pinagtatrabahuan, kapag ka malinis at masinop madalas o palagi magiging malinis, masinop at maayos din ang pagtrato natin sa ating kapaligiran na maaapektuhan din ang ating trabaho,” he explained.
During the last few weeks, Escudero has been making the rounds of every office in the current Senate building to better understand the needs and concerns of the chamber’s 2,000 officials and employees.
In his speech at the flag-raising ceremony, Escudero elaborated on the motivation behind his visits, emphasizing the importance of hearing from the employees themselves about their concerns, aspirations, and needs, which he believes is crucial for the Senate’s continued service to the nation.
“Sa aking pakiramdam at pakiwari, trabaho kong alamin ang bawat opisina gayundin ang kondisyon ng bawat opisyal at empleyado upang marinig at mapakinggan din ang inyong mga concern, ang inyong mga ninanais, ang inyong mga mithiin, pangarap at pangangailangan kaugnay ng trabahong marapat at dapat nating gampanan sa ating paninilbihan sa bayan at sa sambayanan,” he reiterated.
Escudero’s initiative demonstrates his hands-on leadership style and his dedication to ensuring that the Senate’s operations are aligned with the needs and expectations of its staff, ultimately enhancing the institution’s ability to serve the public effectively.