House eyes requiring SONA attendees to be fully vaccinated

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte delivers his 5th State of the Nation Address at the House of Representatives Complex in Quezon City on July 27, 2020. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Full-vaccination against COVID-19 is being eyed as a requirement for individuals physically attending President Rodrigo Duterte’s last State of the Nation Address (SONA) in July, House Secretary General Mark Llandro Mendoza said Tuesday.

“We’re looking at that. By that time naman karamihan naman fully-vaccinated na [most of the attendees will be fully vaccinated],” Mendoza said in an online interview with reporters when asked if the House will require those physically attending the SONA to be fully-vaccinated.

“We’re hoping na yung mag-attend lahat ng papasok sa plenary [sa Batasang Pambansa] fully-vaccinated na sila. Lahat ng taong papasok sa Congress sa [July] 26,” he added.

(We’re hoping those who will attend and enter the plenary at the Batasang Pambansa are already fully-vaccinated. All those who will enter Congress on July 26.)

According to Mendoza, both houses of Congress and Malacañang are regularly in touch with each other regarding the arrangements for Duterte’s last SONA.

He said more attendees may be allowed inside Batasang Pambansa compared to last year, where lawmakers allowed inside the venue were limited due to pandemic restrictions.

Around 150 to 200 guests may be allowed this year, but the final number is still subject to the decision of Malacañang and the protocols set by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, said Mendoza.

Meanwhile, attendees will be required to undergo testing for COVID-19 similar to what was mandated in last year’s SONA, he added.

Earlier, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said there are three scenarios being eyed for Duterte’s SONA this year.

EDV