Group calls for simpler SONA after flood, weather devastations

Metro Manila, Philippines - A progressive group is calling on the Senate and House of Representatives to an austere State of the Nation Address (SONA) next week in the wake of deaths and widespread destruction from days of heavy rain.

The SONA is in the afternoon of Monday, July 28.

Akbayan party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña said it is not time for a lavish ceremony, but for “empathy, humility, and decisive action.”

“It is the height of insensitivity if we will roll out the red carpet for SONA when our constituents and their families don’t even have roofs over their heads,” Cendaña said in a statement on Wednesday, July 23.

“Malaki ang inaasahan ng mamamayan sa SONA ng pangulo. Marami silang tanong na nangangailangan ng agarang sagot sa Pangulo. Isa na diyan kung nasaan ang agarang tulong sa mga nasalanta at kung bakit tila lumalala ang problema ng pagbaha sa kabila ng bilyun-bilyong piso na ginugugol natin taon-taon sa mga flood control projects,” he said.

[Translation: The people are expecting a lot from the president’s SONA. They have a number of questions that need immediate response from the president including the immediate assistance for the storm victims and why the issue of flooding seems worse despite billions of pesos poured yearly to flood control projects.]

Cendaña reminded the public that the SONA is to inform the people of the developments in the country, noting that it is not a “fashion gala” to flaunt outfits.

Based on the government’s latest report, 1.4 million people have been affected by rains triggered by Tropical Storm Crising and the southwest monsoon. The death toll is at seven.

Several cities and municipalities have declared a state of calamity to tap their funds for assistance to the victims.