New Pasig City Hall to Open in September 2027, Funded Without Debt

MANILA, Philippines — The New Pasig City Hall complex is set to open by September 2027, according to City Administrator Jeronimo Manzanero. Unlike typical mega-infrastructure projects financed through local government loans, this P9.2-billion project is being funded by the city's own resources, meaning Pasig City will not incur any debt for its construction. Manzanero attributed the successful debt-free financing to Mayor Vico Sotto's procurement reforms. He highlighted that past procurement processes had an "unwritten rule of 20-percent kickbacks" within an annual procurement budget of P5 billion. By eliminating these corrupt practices, the city has saved approximately P1 billion per year, which has been reinvested into social services without any reduction. The construction is being carried out by the Pasig City Construction Consortium joint venture, led by Sta. Clara International Corp. The contractor is reportedly ahead of key construction milestones, ensuring the project remains on track for its late 2027 opening. This development showcases effective financial management and transparency in local governance in the Philippines. The approach of eradicating past corruption to fund public works while maintaining social services is a model that other local government units could potentially emulate.