HOUSE Speaker Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III on Tuesday joined House officials in a final run-through and inspection of the plenary hall, declaring the House of Representatives ready to host the fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., on July 27.
“Tungkulin nating tiyakin na ang bawat aspeto ng SONA ay magiging maayos, ligtas, at karapat-dapat sa kahalagahan ng okasyong ito. Mahalaga ang araw na ito hindi lamang para sa pamahalaan kundi para sa bawat Pilipino, dahil ito ang pagkakataong magbigay ang Pangulo ng ulat sa kalagayan ng bansa at ng direksiyong ating tatahakin. Handa na ang Kamara para sa ikalimang State of the Nation Address ng Pangulo,” Dy said.
The Speaker said the House and the Office of the President 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 and followed the final inter-agency coordination meeting between officials of the House of Representatives, the Office of the President, and the Senate, where the remaining operational details for the President’s address were finalized.
“We’re all set,” House Secretary General Atty. Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil earlier said, noting that discussions focused on the 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 officials from the Office of the Present in inspecting the route President Marcos will take from the rear entrance of the House of Representatives Complex to the plenary hall, where he will deliver his fifth SONA.
The delegation likewise inspected the plenary hall and other key areas of the House complex, where officials reviewed the facility upgrades completed in time for this year’s address.
Preparations for the July 27 SONA 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.
To ensure the safety and well-being of all attendees, the House has also put in place extensive contingency measures. 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, will be deployed throughout the complex.
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.
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