House to implement SONA lockdown beginning today

THE Batasang Pambansa Complex will be placed on a lockdown starting today, Thursday, July 20, in preparation for the second State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday, July 24.

H ouse Secretary-General Reginald Velasco has assured that the House of Representatives is ready for the SONA.

“There is perfect unity and coordination, and we’re happy together.

All areas were discussed. There were no debates, we are really united. I don’t know about the previous SONA, but I think this is the first SONA where all agencies are united,” he added.

Mean while, House Deputy Secretary General (DSG) for Inter-Parliamentary and Public Affairs Department (IPAD) Atty. Grace Andres said health protocols for this year’s SONA will be relaxed.

But Andres said those who will register a temperature of 37.2 in the morning and 37.8 in the afternoon need to undergo antigen testing.

“If they test negative, then they will be allowed entry,” she said.

Andr es said that the SONA and the joint session of Congress shall also be streamed online. For those who will attend via Zoom, they will find in the advisory what they need to do, he added.

She also enc ouraged those who will physically attend the SONA to carry a small purse only to ease inspection procedures to be implemented by the Presidential Security Group (PSG) detailed at the entry doors.

Marcos will deliver his second SONA on Monday, July 24 at Batasang Pambansa Complex during a joint session before the House of Representatives and the Senate.

F or his part, House Medical and Dental Service Director Dr. Luis Jose Bautista said that almost everyone has submitted his or her vaccination card already.

H e said there are no other protocols to be implemented aside from temperature check.

B autista also assured that they would have medical teams inside and outside the Plenary Hall, as well as within the vicinity of and outside the perimeter of Congress.

Traffic rerouting

HOUSE Sergeant-at-Arms (SAA) retired Police Maj. Gen. Napoleon Taas shared that a zipper lane at the southbound lane along Commonwealth Avenue beginning at the Philcoa area nears the Quezon Memorial Circle will be opened. Cars with SONA VIP passes going to the the victims, the widows, and the orphans of the War on Drugs. My hope is that the President and the agencies of the Executive will cooperate with the investigation of the ICC so that true justice is obtained.”

She added: “The people are watching if he will put the country or his political alliance first. Sana ang Bagong Pilipinas nila ay Pilipinasnamakatarungansalahat.”

‘ICC non-cooperation may impact PHL’

IN a separate development, an infrastructureoriented think tank warned President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that the Philippine government’s non-cooperation in ICC proceedings against former President Duterte may severely impact the President’s ongoing campaign to raise the country’s international prestige.

“By continuing to block attempts by the ICC to hold Mr. Duterte accountable

Batasan Complex may take advantage of this zipper lane to get to the SONA venue faster.

Vehicles using this lane shall exit to the northbound lane of Commonwealth Avenue past Don Antonio Village before turning right at the U-turn slot and proceed to the IBP Road towards the Batasan Complex.

Taas also said that SONA visitors from the Fairview area may also use the southbound lane and take the same U-turn slot to get to the SONA venue.

T o facilitate vehicular traffic on SONA day along Commonwealth Avenue, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will deploy 1,300 personnel on SONA day.

MMDA Special Events Operations Head Emmanuel Miro said that there are alternate routes that motorists may use going to for his regime’s drug war, it may signal to the international community that the Philippines is unserious and insincere about universal principles, such as respect for human rights and dignity and the rule of law. These are principles that guide various bilateral and multilateral cooperation agreements with various countries and institutions, and these are values that may be considered in investment decisions of various foreign firms. The best next step for the Philippine government is to simply allow the proceedings to reach its conclusion without getting in the way of the path to justice,” said Terry Ridon, Infrawatch PH convenor, in a statement issued on Wednesday. Ridon said the President’s international charm offensive would be wasted if investments to the Philippines are rejected or deferred on the mere basis of its non-cooperation with an international adjudication body. and from Fairview and avoid any travel inconvenience.

Miro advised those who need to go to the Fairview area from EDSA may take Mindanao Avenue from North Avenue, take Sauyo Road or Quirino Highway and exit past the Batasan area to Commonwealth Avenue. He said that people traveling from Fairview to Quezon City should also use the same route.

T he MMDA also shared the rerouting plan that light vehicles may use. The plan involves northbound vehicles traversing roads along Marikina City, which will eventually lead to Payatas Road then Commonwealth Avenue.

Trucks coming from Katipunan Avenue or C-5 Road are advised to take Congressional Avenue to their destination.

Thursday, July 20, 2023