THE  Presidential Communications Office (PCO) will donate the building originally intended for the Government Communications Academy (GCA) in Fortich, Bukidnon, to Northern Bukidnon State College (NBSC).

During the Senate hearing on the proposed 2026 PCO budget, Senators Loren Legarda and Sherwin Gatchalian questioned the construction of the GCA building, which began under the previous administration.

Legarda asked whether building infrastructure in the regions falls within the PCO’s mandate, while Gatchalian warned that leaving the project unfinished would turn it into a “white elephant” — a costly but unused facility.

PCO Secretary Dave Gomez explained that the agency merely inherited the project, which began in 2019, and clarified that no additional funding is being sought under the 2026 proposed budget to complete the structure.

“If I were in office at that time, I would not have approved the project,” Gomez admitted.

Meanwhile, PCO Undersecretary Ruth Abigail Setoso said the project was initially intended to serve as a training center and regional office for the agency’s attached offices.

However, due to significant delays, the PCO has decided to complete construction only to facilitate its donation to NBSC.

Setoso said the office is finalizing the terms of the donation, while Gomez assured lawmakers that the transfer of the building to the state college will be completed within the year.