SENATORS on Monday, May 13, 2024, were seen fanning themselves with folders, abanikos, and all sorts of fans due to the breakdown of one of the chillers of the Senate.
Earlier that day, the Senate Maintenance and Physical Facilities Services issued a notice, alerting Senate building occupants to the malfunction: “Please be advised that one (1) unit of Senate chiller is undergoing troubleshooting due to unexpected malfunction. Some offices may experience warm temperature. Some blowers/fans will be distributed to temporarily help with the issue. We request cooperating in keeping office windows, fire exit and toilet doors closed to prevent warm air from entering the rooms and floor lobbies, respectively, Please bear with us as we resolve the chiller issue.”
The Senate Session Hall was not spared from the heat.
What is commendable, however, is that despite the discomfort, the senators proceeded with the session. Some employees might have secretly hopied for an extension of, say, Mother’s Day celebration, expecting an early dismissal if the Senate President adjourned the session for the day, as is usually being done during floods and other unforeseen circumstances.
In my 35 years in the Senate, I am currently witnessing a level of commitment to attendance in sessions and public hearings almost unmatched in previous Congresses.
Whenever the Session Hall chime calls the senators to begin the session, I see those still in in committee hearings rush to conclude the proceedings and almost run toward the Session Hall to avoid being late for the roll call.
I must say “nakapa-proud lang,” seeing how dedicated they are to their responsibilities.
I am prouder than ever of the senators’ hard work and dedication to their mandate.
I would venture to say that contrary to the disparaging remarks made by some individuals about the senators’ work, they are, in fact, going above and beyond what is required of them.
Hindi nasayang ang boto natin.
