Zoom viewing rooms for virtual guests

PCOO Sec Martin Andanar–JOAN BONDOC/PDI FILE PHOTO

Government officials who cannot be physically present for President Duterte’s State of the Nation Address (Sona) due to physical distancing measures will still have to dress up for the occasion. Malacañang has organized virtual Zoom viewing rooms where government officials and other personalities can virtually attend this year’s Sona.

Presidential communications secretary Martin Andanar said there would be three Zoom viewing rooms—one for Cabinet officials who could not join the President’s retinue, one for local chief executives and youth officials, and another for representatives of overseas Filipino workers.A Zoom link will be sent to the invited virtual guests.

“The Cabinet members and the local chief executives who will attend the Zoom meeting are still encouraged to wear barong. Out of respect, in deference to the tradition. Barong or Filipiniana, let us respect the tradition of the Sona,” Andanar said over dzRH on Sunday.He said past traditions like many guests attending the Sona, strutting in their best Filipiniana attire, would not be a sight this year.

“The plenary hall used to be full of people. That won’t happen anymore, since the audience at the Batasan will be limited,” Andanar said.

Andanar explained that the Zoom viewing rooms were meant to show the public that government officials are still present for the Sona. INQ