PLANNING FOR SECURE GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS

PLANNING FOR SECURE GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS In the United States, there exists a dedicated federal agency that is solely responsible for building, managing, and maintaining government facilities: the General Services Administration (GSA). Within the GSA, the Public Buildings Service (PBS) takes charge of acquiring, constructing, leasing, and maintaining a vast portfolio of federal properties. Their mission is not only to meet the evolving needs of government agencies but also to ensure sustainability, cost-efficiency, and even the preservation of historic buildings. Here in the Philippines, we have no such equivalent. There is no single agency that handles the development and management of government buildings in a centralized and strategic manner. Instead, each government agency is left to fend for itself—either building its own facilities or perpetually leasing private ones. This fragmented setup has led to a curious and costly phenomenon: many national government agencies (NGAs) end up leasing privately owned buildings for decades, despite the reality that they could have already purchased or built their own spaces for less. These leases go on and on, and the money that could have been used to build government-owned infrastructure gets siphoned off into rent payments. Take a walk around any city hall or municipal center and you’ll see the pattern: satellite offices of NGAs scattered across various privately owned buildings. Most of these, of course, are rented. What if, instead, there were government-owned buildings where these agencies could lease space under the umbrella of the national government? It would be both economical and, in today’s world, more secure. Gone are the days when security was a minor concern for government offices. In an era where terrorism is a real and present danger, every public office—no matter how small—can be a potential target. Security must now be integral to the planning and management of government infrastructure. That’s why we must ask: Shouldn’t the Philippines have its own version of the GSA? If we were to designate a government body to take on that role, one strong candidate comes to mind—the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). Contrary to a common misconception, DBM doesn’t stand for "Department of Budget Management." But names aside, DBM is strategically positioned to manage government buildings due to its direct control over the budgetary allocations of NGAs. Imagine if DBM owned and operated government office buildings. It could directly deduct rental fees from the budget allocations of its tenant agencies. Even Local Government Units (LGUs) could have their rentals deducted from their Internal Revenue Allotments (IRAs). This system would simplify fiscal management while eliminating redundant overhead costs. More importantly, centralizing NGAs and LGUs in government-owned complexes would drastically improve security. With exclusive government-use buildings, we can implement modern technologies such as QR codes, RFID tags, NFC access, facial recognition, and other biometric systems to monitor entrances and exits effectively. And it doesn't end with security. Centralized, government-operated buildings open the door to more advanced, integrated systems—shared data centers, fiber optic networks, satellite connectivity, and robust local area networks (LANs). We could also deploy smart building management systems (BMS) and Internet of Things (IoT) applications to optimize operations and utilities. The benefits stretch even further: these buildings could serve as testbeds for sustainable government infrastructure. Solar panels, rainwater collection systems, sewage treatment plants (STPs), biogas digesters, and materials recovery facilities (MRFs) could all be implemented and maintained under a shared sustainability plan. It’s high time we rethink how we plan, build, and secure our government buildings. If we want to maximize our resources, improve public service, and protect the lives of government workers and the public they serve, then a unified approach to government infrastructure isn’t just wise—it’s essential. Is the DBM up to the task? Should a new agency be created? Should Congress take a closer look at this issue? These are questions we should be asking—urgently. Ramon Ike V. Seneres, www.facebook.com/ike.seneres iseneres@yahoo.com, 09088877282, senseneres.blogspot.com 06-04-2025