Vice President Jejomar Binay defends the ongoing renovation of the coconut palace which will serve as the official office of the vice president.
Many issues are now being thrown to the office of the vice president for spending big amount in renovating the palace which is different from the p(–foul word(s) removed–) order released by President Aquino to the agencies in the government to spend less.
Five rooms in the palace are now under construction, including the library which is located in the ground floor that will serve as the office of the vice president, one room that will be made as a private bathroom of Binay and another one which will be converted as a receiving room for visiting dignitaries and some guests.
There is also a spare room for some of the staff of the vice president who will be transferring in the new location once it is done, while on the second floor of the palace, the bicol room will become as the private quarters of Binay.
The pool in the front of the palace were also renovated, changing its shape because vice president Binay believes that its current shape would bring bad luck based on feng-shui. Also added in the expenses are the furniture’s to be purchased in each room.
Over all, Binay said that the renovation would cost more than a million but explained that indeed there is a need of renovation in the coconut palace, since it is already old and some parts of it were already dilapidated.
Some agencies also agreed to Binay and said that it is his right to have a descent office since he is the vice president of the Philippines.
However, Binay has recently confirmed that not all 150 staff in his office will be accommodated in the new location; therefore the office of the vice president will still continue to rent part of the PNB office.
Many Non Government Organizations (NGO) has reacted on this decision of Binay since this will add again to the expenses of the government.
About P400, 000 is the expected amount of tax that the office of the VP will pay every month for the rent of the coconut palace, and with additional P350, 000 if they will continue renting portion of the PNB offices with a total of P750, 000.
