Metro Manila, Philippines – Workers in the House of Representatives are in the final stages of preparing for the State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 22.
The final interagency meeting among the Office of the President, Senate, House and other agencies was held on Monday.
During the meeting, the arrival scenario and security measures were tackled to guarantee the safety of lawmakers and visitors.
“I’m happy to report that the House of Representatives is ready, willing, and able to welcome all the guests to this third SONA of the president,” House Secretary General Reginald Velasco was quoted as saying in a statement on Tuesday, July 16.
Medical teams and facilities will be on standby.
As of posting time, air conditioners were installed at the north and south wings of the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City. The old tiles were replaced and new carpets, where government officials and visitors will walk on, were laid out.
Scaffoldings are still at the main lobby as a chandelier will be put up.
New chairs for VIP attendees were positioned in the session hall.
At the Senate in Pasay City, painting and varnishing of wooden features were completed.
Senate President Francis Escudero said preparations for the SONA began a month ago. He said the changes were to address the long-overdue improvements in the building.
“Hindi pagpapaganda, pag-aayos lamang ng sa mahabang panahon ay hindi nagawa. Rason na para gawin naman siguro ‘yan sa panahong ito. Hindi naman puspusan, mahigit isang buwan na rin nating ginagawa ito at pinagdudusahan ang amoy ng barnis. Pero sana matapos bago ito magbukas. Para pag nagbukas ng sesyon ang Senado, tuloy-tuloy puro trabaho na lang ang aasikasuhin naming,” Escudero said.
[Translation: Not for beautification, these are just improvements that are overdue. It is time to do this now. This is not rushed. We have been enduring the smell of varnish for over a month. I hope the work is done before the session starts so that we will just focus on our jobs.]
The government is spending around P20 million to hold the SONA.
Traffic management plan
On traffic management for officials and visitors bound for Batasan, counterflow will be allowed on the southbound lane of Commonwealth Avenue.
On July 22, 8 a.m., the Batasan-IBP Road will be closed for security control.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority advised motorists to use the following routes as heavy traffic is expected on Commonwealth Avenue and the Batasan area.
Northbound (Quezon Memorial Circle to Fairview)
• From Elliptical Road, take North Avenue, right on Mindanao Avenue, right on Sauyo Road or take Quirino Highway to the point of destination.
Southbound (Fairview to Quezon Memorial Circle)
• From Commonwealth Avenue, take Sauyo Road or Quirino Highway, left on Mindanao Avenue, left on North Avenue to the point of destination.
For light vehicles
• From C5 Road, turn left at Magiting Street, right on Maginhawa Street, left on Mayaman Street to Kalayaan Avenue to the point of destination.
For trucks
• From C-5 along Katipunan Avenue, take Luzon flyover, left on Congressional Avenue to the point of destination.
LOOK: The MMDA advised motorists to take alternate routes on July 22 for SONA. A zipper lane on the southbound portions of Commonwealth Ave. will be opened, while the Batasan-IBP road will be closed to vehicular traffic at 8AM | @bylancemejico pic.twitter.com/tahmzR2Qvf
— NewsWatch Plus PH (@newswatchplusph) July 17, 2024
