The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) are committed to ensuring that the 3rd State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will be safe, peaceful, and orderly.
At least 22,000 police and security personnel from the NCRPO and the five police district offices in Metro Manila will be deployed to safeguard key areas for the event.
Additional personnel will be dispatched from various government agencies, such as the Philippine National Police – Aviation Security Group, Special Action Force, the Coast Guard, Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Office of the Civil Defense, Department of Health, and Philippine Red Cross, to support the security efforts.
NCRPO chief Maj. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the police will secure areas around the venue and set up entry and exit points around Metro Manila.
A “No Fly Zone / No Drone Zone” will be enforced in and adjacent to the airspace of the Batasang Pambansa, while permits to carry firearms outside residence in Metro Manila will be suspended for the day of the event.
PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said they have not received any intelligence report on any attempt to disrupt SONA 2024.
Cause-oriented groups and protesters are required to secure permits from the local government before their activities, as a “No Permit, No Rally” policy will be imposed.
Anyone who burns an effigy on the day of SONA will be held accountable by the police, while the Civil Disturbance Management will be present to impose crowd control with the highest form of respect for human rights.
The police will deploy a Reaction Team in strategic areas to respond to any incident of harassment, and the MMDA will monitor protest actions at their Communications and Command Center.
The Southern Police District will also dispatch fully prepared police personnel to ensure peace and order during the event.
SPD director Brig. Gen. Leon Victor Rosete emphasized the need to intensify intelligence monitoring to prevent potential security threats.
He reminded all station commanders to instruct their men to practice maximum tolerance and refrain from carrying firearms during Civil Disturbance Management operations.
The NCRPO urged the public to cooperate with law enforcement and adhere to the implemented policies.
Meanwhile, MMDA chairman Don Artes advised motorists to take alternate routes to avoid expected traffic jams along Commonwealth Avenue and the vicinity of the Batasang Pambansa Complex on the day of SONA.
The MMDA said for northbound (Quezon Memorial Circle to Fairview) routes, vehicles from Elliptical Road should take North Avenue, right turn at Mindanao Avenue, then right turn to Sauyo Road, or take Quirino Highway to reach the point of destination.It said that for southbound (Fairview to Quezon Memorial Circle) routes, vehicles from Commonwealth Avenue should take Sauyo Road or Quirino Highway, turn left at Mindanao Avenue, then turn left at North Avenue to reach the point of destination.
Light vehicles from C-5 Road may turn left at Magiting St., turn right at Maginhawa St., and turn left at Mayaman St. to Kalayaan Avenue to reach the point of destination.
All trucks coming from C-5 Road along Katipunan Avenue should take Luzon Flyover and then turn left at Congressional Avenue to reach the point of destination.
Ambulances, tow trucks, mobile patrol units, motorcycle units, and flood mitigation equipment, among others, will also be dispatched at designated routes and staging areas.
Traffic flow is expected to ease within the vicinity of Batasang Pambansa after the President has delivered his SONA.
