Preparations for President Rodrigo Duterte’s sixth and final State of the Nation Address went on high gear as House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco led a series of initiatives highlighting the administration’s legislative accomplishments.
“Even before the pandemic hit, we were able to pass laws on universal health care, free tertiary education, establishment of Malasakit centers, expanded maternity leave, free public internet access and the Bangsamoro Organic Law, to name a few,” Velasco said.
At the height of the pandemic, the House leader said both executive and legislative branches worked together to produce pieces of legislation designed to help address and cushion the socioeconomic impact of the public health crisis, such as the Bayanihan laws, the 2021 national budget, and the COVID-19 Vaccination Program Act.
“Most of our colleagues in Congress agree that we should give credit where it’s due, and the truth is that there were a lot of key legislative measures enacted during President Duterte’s term,” Velasco said.
He urged House members to take part in the pre-SONA campaign dubbed “Sa Lahat ng Pagbabago, Salamat Pangulo! (A Pre-SONA Tribute by the 18th Congress),” which features the priority programs and policies implemented in the different legislative districts across the country under the Duterte administration.
The Speaker has designated Pangasinan Rep. Christopher De Venecia as project director for the pre-SONA campaign, and a focal person was also assigned in each region and in the party-list coalition.
House lawmakers, particularly those belonging to the supermajority coalition, were tasked to produce 60- to 90-second videos using the theme “Mula sa Inyong Kongreso, Progreso para sa Pilipino.”
Each video highlights the priority programs of district and party-list lawmakers that were implemented since Duterte assumed office in 2016.
The videos will be posted on the official Facebook page of the House of Representatives starting July 5. An 84-second video featuring Speaker Velasco and his lone district of Marinduque kicks off the pre-SONA campaign.
“Members of Congress whole-heartedly embraced this project, as they are sincerely thankful to the President for his help with programs that greatly benefited their constituents in their respective districts,” Velasco said.
On the actual day of the SONA, July 26, a multimedia exhibit will be put up in the North and South Wing lobbies of the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City. A tableau of Duterte’s accomplishments will also be set up at the rear entrance of the Main Building where the chief executive will make his way into the plenary to deliver his final SONA.
“We truly appreciate what President Duterte has done for our country, and all of these accomplishments will be highlighted in these exhibits,” Velasco said.
