The National Assembly is finally getting some TLC after 52 years. Let's just say that the building that is the seat of the Legislature has definitely seen better days.
And while it is the chamber that holds the people's power - and is supposed to be the greatest expression of sovereign will - today the the government accepted a grant from Taiwan to renovate the National Assembly.
At the ceremony, the Prime Minister and the Project Engineer at MIDH spoke more about the changes to come.
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"The time has come for us to start to modernize this building and to make it more accessible to everyone and that even the facilities inside that we have to ensure that we can be able to meet the needs of not only the men but also the females and that the working conditions also need to be improved."
"And Senator Monteiro, you're right. Climate change is upon us. It's getting warmer, you know, now and the humidity so it can become almost like a furnace inside because of the way the building has been designed."
"But this is a building with much grandeur. It's a building that we need to be able to appreciate what it stood for. And I hope Colin that when you all finish that you will see blue and orange and you know, all kind of colors, you know. You have to make sure we try to keep a bit of what it stood for."
"That part is important but the inside also have to be more functional, more accessible for our people."
Colin Escalante, Project Engineer, MIDH
"The project scope is split into two general aspects which includes the civil works aspect and an architectural works aspect."
"The civil works aspect shall include the following activities. Construction of parking spaces and accessways around the National Assembly Building to complement what exists, what currently exists. Improving the current site drainage works around the National Assembly Building."
"The second aspect will focus on improving the functionality of the National Assembly Building which is the architectural component by rearranging the layout of office spaces and common area spaces on the three floors."
"We're also looking to upgrade electrical and plumbing items as well as constructing bathrooms for both male and female users. We're looking at upgrading windows and doors, upgrading of interior wall finishes and floor finishes and an important aspect of the project includes the installation of an elevator lift system to provide functional access for persons with disabilities."
"To highlight the technological advancement, as the vice president had mentioned, we're looking to install security systems and also for the installation of fire suppression systems."
"To sort of hit the climate change aspect, not only looking at resiliency of the structure itself, but being efficient, we're looking to upgrade the air conditioning systems within the building as well."
"And lastly, we are looking to do a minor facelift for next year of the building when it comes to cleaning and retrofitting of wall and roof surfaces."
The renovations will start in the first quarter of the next financial year, and will take approximately ten months.
