SoNA aim: Topple ‘corona’
RODY’S FOCUS I think the difference will be, he will be presenting now a roadmap for recovery, which actually, if you’ve noticed the economic team has not unveiled yet. And I think the reason is they want to unveil it in the SoNA itself and in many fora a
President Rodrigo Duterte would present his administration’s “detailed” roadmap for recovery from the coronavirus pandemic in his penultimate State of the Nation Address (SoNA) slated Monday, 27 July.
The Chief Executive would discuss the effects of the pandemic and the government’s steps to address the ongoing health crisis “in much detail” when he addresses the nation for the
fifth time, his presidential spokesman Harry Roque said Wednesday.
“I think there’s no other problem as big as COVID right now, and you can imagine that the upcoming SoNA will discuss this pandemic in much detail,” he said in an interview with CNN Philippines.
A big portion of the address would obviously be COVID-related issues. But of course, it is good to discuss the implementation of the Universal Health Care Law.
“But I think the difference will be, he will be presenting now a roadmap for recovery, which actually, if you’ve noticed the economic team has not unveiled yet. And I think the reason is they want to unveil it in the SoNA itself and in many fora after it,” Roque added.
President Duterte is set to show up at the Batasang Pambansa on Monday for this year’s SoNA despite the continuing threat of the novel coronavirus which has so far infected over 70,000 people in the country and killed nearly 2,000 individuals. Roque previously said that a limited number of Cabinet members and lawmakers would join the Chief Executive in the event.
The Palace official, however, could not tell yet if members of the First Family would join the President.
The Department of Health (DoH) expressed confidence that this year’s SoNA would discuss the implementation of the Universal Health Care Law, aside from COVID-19. Last year, President Duterte signed the law which aims to protect Filipinos’ right to health with automatic enrollment in the government’s health insurance program.
“A big portion of the address would obviously be COVID-related issues. But of course, it is good to discuss the implementation of the Universal Health Care Law because this is the framework in which we are operating,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario
Vergeire said in a press briefing.
Pet bills included
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said in a televised briefing that the Chief Executive might also tackle the proposed measures that he wants to approve within the last two years of his term.
Nograles noted that some of President’s pet bills — such as the reinstatement of death penalty, Charter change, and tax reforms — remain pending in the legislative chamber.
“He may also talk about his legislative priorities going into next two years because we still have low-hanging fruits in terms of legislation and possible new legislation that we want to push forth especially in battling COVID-19 pandemic,” he added.
I think there’s no other problem as big as COVID right now, and you can imagine that the upcoming SoNA will discuss this pandemic in much detail.
In his last year’s SoNA, President Duterte laid out his legislative wish list to both houses of Congress, comprising at least 18 measures he wants passed, including the anti-contractualization bill and the Fire Protection Modernization program.
He also expressed support for the passage of bills which seek the establishment of the Department of Overseas Filipino Workers, the Department of Disaster Resilience and the Department of Water Resources.
Security, safety measures
The Presidential Security Group (PSG) has vowed that heightened security measures would be in place during the event to keep 75-year-old Duterte safe from COVID-19, even if eight of its enlisted personnel tested positive for the virus.
The eight COVID-positive personnel have been assigned to the Office of Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, said PSG Commander Jesus Durante III. Medialdea initially tested negative for the virus.
Durante said the PSG “remains steadfast in being a 360-degree shield for the President and the seat of central power in the country,” adding that those who were assigned to the President are consistently tested for COVID-19.
Meanwhile, all lawmakers and technical support staff attending the SoNA would undergo swab tests a day before the event, said House Secretariat Secretary General Jose Luis Montales.
He said that the
Malacañang, Senate, and House of Representatives have yet to finalize the list of attendees for the SoNA.
But he said attendees from the House would not exceed 25 individuals.
Officials and guests who will enter the Batasang Pambansa are also required to wear masks and face shields, and would be asked to submit forms for contact tracing.
All attendees are also encouraged to use the stairs. Elevators would be limited to four passengers and talking inside elevators would be prohibited.
The Batasan Complex would also be in lockdown for three days before SoNA.
No media allowed
For the first time, members of the media would not be able physically cover the opening of the Congress session, as well as the SoNA.
Only the state-run Radio and Television Malacañang would be allowed at the Batasan, Montales said.