Treasury to put up 5 new regional offices

MANILA, Philippines—The Bureau of the Treasury will spend an initial P97.5 million to build new offices in different parts of the country.

Deputy Treasurer Eduardo S. Mendiola said in an interview that the BTr decided to build its own facilities to save on rent and strengthen its presence throughout the country.

Now that the regional offices will have their own premises, “we will avoid problems caused by a lack of (budget) provisions for increases in rent,” Mendiola said. “Sometimes, when this happens, we are forced to relocate, and relocation may mean a deterioration of accommodations.”

He explained that the regional offices, as tenants, could move to new locations that might not be as good as the previous ones.

Qualified contractors have until October 22 to submit their bids for a package of five projects with an approved budget of P19.5 million each.

Treasury offices will be put up in Tuguegarao City in Cagayan, San Fernando City in Pampanga, Legaspi City in Albay, Koronadal City in South Cotabato and Butuan City in Agusan del Norte.

“Our goal is to provide all our regional offices with their own premises, so this is just the first of such projects,” Mendiola said.