Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Dave Gomez supported Senator Sherwin Gatchalian’s probe into the Government Communication Academy in Bukidnon, saying the project was an overreach by the previous administration and risks becoming a “white elephant.”
The P45.7-million facility, which ballooned to ₱124 million from 2019 to 2023, was flagged by Gatchalian for lacking funding in the 2026 budget despite being 90 percent complete.
“I completely agree with Senator Gatchalian. The previous administration should not have pursued a public works project outside our core mandate,” Gomez said.
The PCO explained that the academy was originally planned as a training center for government communication units. Gomez added that the current administration is finalizing the building’s donation to Northern Bukidnon State College to ensure it benefits students.
Gatchalian, who chairs the Senate finance committee, warned that the unfinished facility would become a white elephant if left idle.
The PCO said coordination with the state college is ongoing to complete the turnover once legal and administrative steps are finalized.
