SONA to push through in Batasang Pambansa, for now — Cayetano

MANILA, Philippines — As of Sunday morning, President Rodrigo Duterte’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) will push through at the House of Representatives—also known as Batasang Pambansa—in Quezon City, Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said.

Cayetano made the remark after the 22nd coronavirus disease (COVID-19) case among House personnel was confirmed on Saturday night.

“As of now, tuloy du’n tomorrow. Fifty people lang po ang papayagang pumasok kasama na ang kongresista, kasama na po ang mga senador, and of course po ang ating Pangulo at ang kanyang mga kasama,” Cayetano said in an interview with radio station DZBB.

Cayetano said that precautions are being taken to ensure the safety of holding the annual event at Batasang Pambansa.

This includes the requirement for COVID-19 testing for those physically attending the SONA.

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Cayetano said that on one hand, it is better to conduct the SONA at the Batasang Pambansa to show “normalcy” and to show the public that despite the challenges being faced by the country, the government is still trying its best to do its job.

However, the Speaker recognized that they do not want new cases of COVID-19 to come from the House.

“May backup plan pa rin naman, you know napakagaling po at professional ng PSG (Presidential Security Group), at naiintidihan nila that COVID-19 is also an enemy,” Cayetano said.

“So if they’ll make a call na hindi magiging safe para sa lahat, lalo na sa ating Pangulo d’yan sa Batasang Pambansa, even si Senate President Sotto ay nagsabing okay din siya sa Plan B,” he added.

Cayetano said he is expecting Duterte to give a message of hope amid the pandemic in his speech.

Further, Cayetano said that the Duterte administration has been “very controversial” but also “very successful”.

“Controversial because the President went kept on with corruption, with drugs, with very controversial issues,” Cayetano said.

“Pero nagbago lahat ‘yan nung nagkaroon ng Covid, kaya nga ‘yung challenge natin ngayon: How can we have different of opinion pero still be united?” he added.

House Administrative Department Deputy Secretary-General Dr. Ramon Ricardo Roque earlier said that several health protocols will be implemented for Duterte’s SONA such as the mandatory wearing of face masks and face shields for those entering the session hall.

Physical distancing of 2 meters will also be strictly implemented, said Roque.

Floor markings of at least six feet apart will also be placed at all entrances, elevators, and places with foot traffic while one-way stairwells.will be designated to avoid congestions.

Roque added that health screening, checking of body temperature, disinfection, and submission of health declaration forms will likewise be conducted at all building entrances.

Persons with a temperature reading of 37.5 degrees or higher will be denied entry and instead be redirected to quarantine tents to be attended by medical personnel, Roque said.

/MUF