The House of Representatives went into lockdown mode beginning today, Thursday, until Sunday, as part of the safety and security preparations for the second State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday, July 24, 2023. Only essential HRep personnel designated to come to work can enter the Batasang Pambansa premises.
At the final SONA 2023 Inter-Agency Coordination Meeting held last July 17, 2023, House Secretary-General Reginal Velasco said that House officials will be at the HREP until Sunday, July 23, to ensure everything is well set for SONA.
“We will be here until Sunday to ensure everything will be alright for the SONA. There will be smaller groups (within the inter-agency) that can meet to address specific concerns,” Sec-Gen Velasco said.
He identified House Sergeant-at-Arms (SAA) Police Major General Napoleon Taas (Ret.) as the contact person for security matters and issues, while arrangements and other concerns may be referred to Deputy Secretary General (DSG) Atty. Grace Andres of the Inter-Parliamentary and Public Affairs Department (IPAD).
In the same meeting, DSG Andres said that starting the lockdown today, there will be no more antigen testing for the essential House staff reporting to work. “Yung antigen test last Monday (July 17) will suffice for those who will be reporting during lockdown days,” she said.
“We will be here until Sunday to ensure everything will be alright for the SONA. There will be smaller groups (within the inter-agency) that can meet to address specific concerns,” Sec-Gen Velasco said.
He identified House Sergeant-at-Arms (SAA) Police Major General Napoleon Taas (Ret.) as the contact person for security matters and issues, while arrangements and other concerns may be referred to Deputy Secretary General (DSG) Atty. Grace Andres of the Inter-Parliamentary and Public Affairs Department (IPAD).
In the same meeting, DSG Andres said that starting the lockdown today, there will be no more antigen testing for the essential House staff reporting to work. “Yung antigen test last Monday (July 17) will suffice for those who will be reporting during lockdown days,” she said.