Preparations for the third State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. formally kicked off with the first inter-agency coordination meeting held last Thursday among officials from the House of Representatives led by Secretary General Reginald Velasco, the Office of the President, the Senate, among others.
Velasco said the objective of the coordination meeting is to stage a SONA that is better than last year.
Attendees were briefed on ongoing preparations on the part of the House, including program and scenario planning, room assignments, medical updates, plenary preparations, security measures, traffic rerouting and media coverage.
House Sergeant-at-arms retired Police Maj. Gen. Napoleon Taas shared that planning for the security arrangements for the event has been finalized, with current efforts focused on fine-tuning details to meet stringent security protocols.
Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Head of Special Events Emmanuel Miro presented the agency’s traffic and deployment plan, which includes VIP routes, alternate routes and road clearing operations.
Representing Senate Secretary Renato Bantug Jr., Senate Office of International Relations and Protocol Director General Antonio de Guzman Jr. assured the SONA task force that the Office of the Senate President and the Senate Secretariat are fully committed to collaborating with the House and the OP to ensure a successful SONA.
The third SONA of President Marcos Jr. is scheduled on July 22, 2024.