Discaya pushes P8.7-billion alternative to Pasig city hall project

Pasig City mayoral candidate Sarah Discaya will spend only P8.7 billion to build a new city hall and other infrastructure projects if elected in the 12 May elections.

This was according to her husband, Curlee Discaya, a contractor and owner of a quadruple-A construction firm.

Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto led the ceremonial signing for the New Pasig City Hall Project on 13 January 2025, marking the start of a P9.26 billion redevelopment plan for the city government complex.

Under Discaya’s proposed administration, however, the P8.7 billion budget would be used differently.

Rather than spending such a large amount on a single structure, Curlee said the money would fund several projects that aim to benefit the future of every Pasigueño.

In a press conference on Wednesday afternoon, Curlee presented a list of projects that would be constructed under Sarah Discaya’s leadership:

• New City Hall building, with the same floor area and landscape – P2.7 billion

• One 11-story hospital – P500 million

• Five 11-story housing buildings – P2 billion

• One 11-story university building – P500 million

• Five 7-story high school buildings – P500 million

• Five 4-story elementary school buildings – P500 million

• Two new bridges – P300 million

• Ten 3-kilometer roads in Barangay Pinagbuhatan – P100 million

• Ten 3-kilometer drainage and flood control systems in Barangay Pinagbuhatan – P100 million

• Thirty new multi-level multipurpose halls and covered courts – P1.5 billion

That brings the total to P8.7 billion, compared to the P9.2 billion set aside for the current redevelopment project.

He added that all the proposed infrastructure projects under the P8.7 billion budget would be constructed simultaneously and completed within three years.

He assured the public that they would not take part in the bidding or construction of the P8.7 billion worth of projects, as Republic Act 9184 prohibits relatives up to the third degree of consanguinity of the elected official from participating in such undertakings.

Curlee further claimed that the current city hall project’s cost could even balloon to P31 billion.

He clarified that he is not accusing anyone of corruption regarding the P9.2 billion project but said he can present cost estimates to support the feasibility of their P8.7 billion plan.

Curlee also said that the remaining P800 million from their proposed budget would be used to implement a “zero billing” policy on the first day of Sarah Discaya’s term as the new mayor.

Atty. Josephine Lati-Bagaoisan, chairperson of the Bids and Awards Committee, shared that the city opted for a "design and build" modality for the current project. She said it came with several advantages, although the specifics of how this approach compared to more cost-effective alternatives were not discussed.

The consortium, composed of Sta. Clara International Corporation, Bandar Hebat Builders Inc., and PhilJaya Property Management Corporation, was introduced through a video showcasing its past projects and combined expertise. Architect Royal Pineda, a native of Pasig, then presented the architectural design for the new city hall, including a walkthrough of the planned structure and the inspiration behind its overall look.

City Administrator Atty. Jeronimo Manzanero announced the total contract value of P9.26 billion and gave a general overview of how the amount would be allocated across major components of the construction.

Daily Tribune attempted to reach Mayor Vico Sotto's office this afternoon, 7 May 2025, for comment but received no response.