Velasco said that everything had been put in place for President Duterte’s last SONA.
House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco said that everything had been put in place for President Rodrigo Duterte’s last State of the Nation Address (SONA).
It’s all systems go for President Duterte’s sixth and final State of the Nation Address at the Batasan Pambansa, home of the House of Representatives.
According to Velasco, everything had been put in place for the big event — including security measures for all top officials and dignitaries and safety protocols against COVID 19.
“We are ready to receive the President for his much-awaited annual message for the Filipino people,” Velasco declared.
Velasco led a final inspection of the Batasan Pambansa complex last July 25.
READ ALSO: President Duterte’s Last SONA To Leave Mark In Filipinos’ Hearts — Andanar
Also, Velasco inspected the exhibits and a multimedia installation that were set up as part of the tribute to President Duterte by the 18th Congress.
The exhibits at the north and south portions of the plenary highlighted President Duterte’s reform programs and landmark legislations during the past five years. A multimedia installation will receive the President as he made his way to the plenary.
Fronting the multimedia installation was a vessel which was an amalgamation of iconic Mindanaoan motifs: the torogan, the kulintang, the balangay, and the sarimanok. Also featured on the canvas were messages of gratitude and heartfelt testimonials from Filipinos who benefited from President Duterte’s landmark reforms.
During the State of the Nation Address, Velasco expected the President to look back on the performance of the current administration.
“I believe that the President will go back from the start of his administration since 2016. We accomplished a lot in that period. Many people thought we were shooting for the stars and that programs such as free tertiary education, accessible health services, environmental rehabilitation, peace and order in communities would never see the light of day. But PRRD proved that under his leadership, this can be achieved. And during the SONA, we expect that PRRD may also ask Congress to pass certain legislative measures within the remaining time that we have,” said Velasco.
READ ALSO: PSG To Implement “Highest Security Protocols” To Secure President Duterte In Last SONA — Durante
Meanwhile, special identification cards were given to SONA attendees and essential congressional staff prior to entering the buildings inside the Batasan complex.
President Duterte will address only around 300 people inside the House plenary under the special security and public health protocols.
Manila Bulletin reported that the flow of traffic within and around the Batasan complex were controlled with police barricades and checkpoints, keeping but the most essential vehicles — including members and staff cars — off the key streets around the complex.
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