MANILA — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is putting the finishing touches on his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) after a series of consultations with Cabinet officials and heads of government agencies, while the Philippine National Police (PNP) has begun its final security preparations by deploying more than 20,000 officers for the July 27 event at the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the President has been meeting regularly with agency heads to assess government accomplishments and review key programs that will be highlighted in his annual address to Congress.
“Regular po ang Pangulo na nakikipag-usap sa mga leader ng bawat ahensya para malaman at ma-update po siya sa nangyayari,” Castro said during a Palace briefing.
“At sa ngayon po ay ah tinatapos niya po ang kanyang pagsusulat patungkol sa kanyang SONA speech,” she added.
Castro said preparations for the President’s address are in full swing but declined to disclose details of the government’s security measures.
“‘Yung patungkol po sa security at protocol, hayaan na lang po natin ‘yan dahil operasyon po ito at hindi po ito isinasapubliko. At ang sinisigurado lamang po namin ay handa palagi ang gobyerno pagdating po diyan,” she said.
Meanwhile, the PNP has entered the final phase of its security preparations, with PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. ordering all National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) units to inspect and finalize their deployment plans.
More than 20,000 police personnel will be deployed around the Batasang Pambansa and other key areas in Quezon City to ensure the orderly and secure conduct of the President’s annual address.
Nartatez said the police force is fully prepared to safeguard the event while upholding the constitutional rights of individuals and groups participating in lawful public assemblies.
“I remind every police officer to exercise maximum restraint. Remain professional at all times. Respect the constitutional rights of every Filipino. Our duty is to maintain peace and public safety while ensuring that lawful assemblies can proceed peacefully,” Nartatez said.
The President delivers the SONA every year on the last Monday of July to report on the country’s condition, outline the administration’s priorities, and seek congressional support for key legislative measures./PN
