House ready for PBBM’S first Sona on Monday
STRICT security and health restrictions will be implemented to ensure the safety of the 1,365 guests who have been invited for the first State of the Nation Address (Sona) of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. on Monday, July 25, 2022 at the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City, an official of the House of Representatives said on Monday.
House Secretary General Mark Llandro Mendoza said Vice President Sara Duterte, members of the Cabinet, former presidents, vice presidents, speakers, and Senate presidents, the diplomatic corps and justices are expected to attend the Sona.
“So far, we are good. We’ve sent invitations. A total of 1,365 guests will be attending the first Sona of President Marcos. We will still conduct [few] minor meetings,” he said.
Mendoza said the capacity of the plenary hall has been adjusted to accommodate 1,365 guests.
According to Mendoza, strict health protocols and security guidelines will be implemented on Monday for the opening of the 19th Congress in the morning and Sona in the afternoon.
Mendoza said mandatory RT-PCR testing would be conducted for those who will enter the plenary hall.
The media office of the lower chamber said an antigen test will be required for those other attendees and staff entering the Batasang Pambansa but assigned outside the plenary hall.
Like previous Sonas, Mendoza said the Batasang Pambansa complex would be placed on lockdown starting on Friday, as part of security protocols. Only the Presidential Security Group members are allowed inside the complex.
“Total lockdown will be on Friday, but we may adjust it and implement an early lockdown as part of security preparations,” Mendoza said.
According to the report of the Philippine News Agency, authorities have increased the number of security personnel to 21,800 for Marcos’s first Sona.
They will guard the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City and at least 30 border control points along the Metropolis for the event applying the same template utilized during the inauguration of Marcos in Manila on June 30.
It added that protesters are only allowed in designated freedom parks like the Quezon City Memorial Circle. They may also gather in some areas provided they secure permits from the Quezon City local government unit and adhere to guidelines of a peaceful assembly.
MMDA Sona traffic rerouting plan
A TRAFFIC rerouting plan will be implemented for President Marcos’s first Sona, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said.
“Personnel assigned are tasked to manage both vehicular and pedestrian traffic; emergency response; clearing operations; assist in crowd control; and support the operations of the Task Force Sona 2022, Philippine National Police, National Capital Region Police Office, Quezon City Police District, Presidential Security Group, and Quezon City government to ensure a peaceful and orderly Sona,” Engr. MMDA Officer in Charge Baltazar Melgar said.
Melgar said that 1,133 personnel from the Traffic Discipline Office, Road Emergency Group, Sidewalk Clearing Operations Group, Flood Control, and Metrobase will be deployed along Commonwealth Avenue and other roads leading to and within the vicinity of the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City, where the Sona will be held.
Ambulances, tow trucks, fire trucks, mobile patrol units, motorcycle units, among others, will also be deployed at designated routes and staging areas.
The MMDA shall implement a zipper lane or counterflow on the southbound portion of Commonwealth Avenue to give way to vehicles of government officials and guests going to the complex as needed.
Ahead of Sona, Melgar said the MMDA Task Force Special Operations and Anti-colorum Unit, in coordination with the Quezon City government, shall intensify clearing operations to remove all types of road obstructions, including illegally-parked vehicles, to ensure that alternate routes are passable.