IT’S all systems go for the Joint Session of Congress for the first State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. at the Batasang Pambansa Complex at the House of Representatives on Monday, July 25, 2022.
For the past several weeks, the House has been at its busiest, coordinating with different government agencies, making preparations to make the annual event safe, smooth and orderly. Not everyone inside the complex on the D-DAY, however, would be allowed to attend the SONA session inside the Plenary Hall.
For the lucky ones who would make it to the SONA plenary session, they would have to observe and follow the guidelines contained in the latest SONA advisory issued by House Secretary General Mark Llandro Mendoza. Only HRep and Senate Members, Secretariat officials, employees, and guests who have tags issued by the Presidential security Group (PSG) and included in the list of individuals authorized to enter the Plenary Hall would be allowed entry.
Everyone is requested to be at the Plenary Hall at 2:00 p.m. as entrances to the said hall would be closed by 3:00 in the afternoon. The dress code for attendees at the Plenary Hall and on video conference platforms are Barong Filipino for gentlemen, and Filipiniana for ladies or appropriate business attire.
Wearing of clothes with political messages is not allowed. Gadgets such as cellphones, radio transceivers, and similar ones would be turned off while inside the session hall. Likewise, picture-taking at the rostrum of the Plenary Hall after the SONA or adjournment of the Joint Session is not allowed.
Attendees, especially ladies have to make do with carrying a small bag or a small pouch as backpacks, big bags, canned beverages and bottled water would not be allowed inside the session hall.
Firearms would not be allowed within the premises except those authorized by the PSG. The basic requirement of a one-kilometer radius “No Fly Zone” would be implemented over the area of the Batasan Complex from 1:00 pm to 6:00 in the afternoon.
Meanwhile, the Press and Public Affairs Bureau (PPAB) under OIC Executive Director Celine Marie Buencamino assured that SONA IDs and car passes have been distributed to members of the media who will cover the SONA.
