The House of Representatives is all set to host President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address (Sona) on July 27, according to a statement issued by the lower chamber on Wednesday.
‘It’s our duty to make sure that every aspect of the Sona will be orderly, safe, and appropriate for this significant occasion,’ Speaker Faustino ‘Bojie’ Dy III, who joined other House officials on Tuesday in a final run-through and inspection of the plenary hall, said.
‘This day is important, not only for the government but also for every Filipino, because this is the opportunity for the president to give a report on the situation of the country and the direction it is going. The chamber is ready for the fifth State of the Nation Address of the president,’ he added.
‘Simple but dignified’
According to Dy, the House and Malacañan had agreed to keep this year’s Sona ‘simple but dignified,’ as befitting one of the country’s most important constitutional occasions.
Tuesday’s inspection capped weeks of preparations, following the final inter-agency coordination meeting of officials of the House, Senate, and Office of the President.
‘We’re all set,’ House Secretary General Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil earlier said, noting that the inter-agency meeting focused on remaining logistical concerns, including seating arrangements for dignitaries and viewing rooms for guests who could not be accommodated inside the plenary hall.
Garafil had earlier led Malacañan officials in inspecting the route Marcos would take from the rear entrance of the House of Representatives Complex to the plenary hall, where he would deliver his Sona.
The delegation also inspected the plenary hall and other key areas, where officials reviewed the facility upgrades completed in time for this year’s address.
Preparations included significant improvements to the House complex, including the completion of the second and third floors of the main building, upgraded hallways and common areas, and the construction of new al fresco lounges for members and guests.
The historic plenary hall has likewise been fully prepared to host the joint session of Congress.
Contingency measures
To ensure the safety and well-being of all attendees, the House has also put in place extensive contingency measures throughout the complex.
It will deploy around 30 medical personnel from the House Medical and Dental Service, augmented by teams from St. Luke’s Medical Center, Diliman Doctors Hospital, the Philippine Heart Center, and East Avenue Medical Center.
Additional responders from the Department of Health, local government units, the Bureau of Fire Protection, and the Philippine National Police will also be on standby to respond to any emergency