THE House of Representatives is ready for the second State of the Nation Address of President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, July 24, during which he is expected to present his administration’s accomplishments and push support for his legislative priorities, a House official said Friday.
House secretary-general and task force Sona 2017 chairman Cesar Strait Pareja said the House had addressed all matters pertaining to internal and external security and safety, protocol arrangements, reception, media coverage, parking and other things to ensure a safe, secure and orderly holding of the Sona this year.
“We are very much prepared for the Sona. So far, there are no major hitches in the Sona preparations,” Pareja said.
He made his statement even as fashion designer Bonie Adaza of Chardin Davao said Duterte and his common-law wife Honeylet Avanceña will be wearing Marawi-inspired creations during the Sona.
Adaza said the President’s barong will be simple with touches of the okkil or okir pattern, which is distinguished by the flowing geometric forms found in Maranao art works.
Separately, the Metro Manila Development Authority on Friday advised motorists to avoid at least five major thoroughfares in Quezon City that will be affected by a traffic rerouting scheme to be imposed during the SONA.
The MMDA advised the motorists using Commonwealth Avenue (west-bound) to turn right on Fairlane going to Dalia, then left on Chestnut and then straight to Sauyo Road to Mindanao Avenue.
The motorists coming from SM Fairview and Robinsons Mall should take Quirino Highway and straight to Mindanao Avenue, while those coming from Fairview and Mindanao Avenue should take Jordan Plains straight to Quirino Highway to Mindanao Avenue.
Pareja said the holding of a special session today, Saturday. for Congress to discuss the President’s request for a martial law extension in Mindanao will not derail the House preparations for the Sona.
“We will temporarily halt the remaining preparatory work on Saturday to give way to the special session. We can adjust things. By Sunday, we will resume work and finish what else needs to be done for Sona,” Pareja said.
He said last-minute repair work and other finishing touches will be completed by Sunday. The House will also allow the entry of caterers and the staff of RTVM and private media networks who will set up their equipment on Sunday.
Also to be allowed entry are the security staff of the House and other concerned agencies who will be coordinating, manning and securing the House premises, the engineering staff and the staff of the Office of the secretary-general.
Also to be finished before the Sona are the new parking structures at the North Wing and South Wing that would give the House additional parking slots of more than 300. Newly constructed also is the new South Wing Annex Roadway which could accommodate 52 vehicles. The roadway was inaugurated last Tuesday.
Pareja said being on top of the Sona preparations had been a big challenge to him, and especially because of the security issue and the bulk of the work involved.
“Definitely, it’s a heavy responsibility because the head of our government will be here as well as the heads of all agencies. Being the host of the special event, the House has to look after the guests and attend to their requests,” Pareja said.
To ensure that the Sona preparatory activities are properly coordinated and executed, Pareja said, they had started the coordination meetings as early as January this year.
Last week, during the inter-agency meeting, Pareja said the Philippine National Police and the Metro Manila Development Authority gave their initial briefing on security issues.
“Our security forces are very prepared. It was discussed during the meeting to hope for the best, but you prepare for the worst,” Pareja said.