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Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is set to deliver his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) live at the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City at around 12:00 noon UAE Time (4:00 PM PH time).
President Duterte will be physically present to deliver the speech in front of a limited number of guests at the area in compliance With the restrictions on mass gatherings in place as preventive measures against the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Only 15 seats will be reserved for Cabinet members while 25 seats each will be allocated for senators and congressmen. All of them had to undergo a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test a day prior to the event.
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This means that there will be fewer politicians to grace the event donning their best fashion wear looks, compared to the previous years. Instead of a red carpet, the halls of the Batasang Pambansa Complex will see disinfection mats, sanitizers, and infrared thermometers to ensure that everyone who enters is completely sanitized and risk-free from the coronavirus.
“Syempre po, wala na yang madamihan na opisyales na nag-a-attend, wala na yung fashion show na pagandahan ng suot, at tingin ko po, kakaunti lang ang mag-assemble sa Kongreso,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said.
Message of hope
Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go expects that President Duterte will lay down concrete plans to help further the government’s efforts to assist Filipinos who have been severely affected by the pandemic and to propose legislative measures to lead the country towards socio-economic recovery.
“I am expecting that the President will focus his 5th SONA on measures to strengthen our fight against the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Our goal now is not only to adapt to the ‘new normal’ but to lead our country towards a ‘better normal’ and better quality of life,” Senator Go said in a statement.
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The Philippine National Police (PNP) has deployed around 5,400 personnel and another 1,900 operatives from allied security agencies around nearby areas to ensure the safety and security of the president and all SONA attendees.
PNP Deputy Chief for Operations Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar assured the public that PNP forces around the country will be on full alert during the entire day.
“We are still to monitor any threat, the only threat we have is the Covid-19 threat,” said Lt. Gen. Eleazar
