QC prepares for Sona; reaffirms freedom of speech, peaceful assembly

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte

MANILA, Philippines – “Quezon City remains a bastion of democracy and free speech as we uphold every Filipino’s right to peacefully assemble. However, all rallyists are encouraged to police their ranks and mandated to follow the law,” stated Mayor Joy Belmonte.

The Quezon City government’s Law and Order Cluster has meticulously planned security and safety measures in anticipation of the upcoming third State of the Nation Address (SONA) by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. on July 22.

In collaboration with various departments, agencies, and offices, personnel and resources have been strategically allocated to support the national government’s deployment efforts.

The Quezon City Police District will deploy 6,500 police officers to ensure the safety and orderliness of the event. Complementing this force, hundreds of personnel from the Department of Public Order and Safety, Task Force Disiplina, and barangays surrounding the SONA 2024 venue will be on hand to provide additional support.

To mitigate traffic disruptions on major thoroughfares, the city government will deploy additional traffic enforcers from the Transport and Traffic Management Department (TTMD). The QCity Bus, in conjunction with barangay service vehicles, will offer free rides to commuters affected by the event.

READ: Sona preparations complete – Romualdez

The Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office is prepared to respond swiftly to any emergencies, with Emergency Medical Services, Search and Rescue teams, and Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams prepositioned to provide immediate medical support and assistance.

The city government urges both pro and anti-administration demonstrators to coordinate with the Department of Public Order and Safety (DPOS) to secure necessary permits for their rallies. Demonstrators are also reminded to maintain peace and order and avoid disruptive acts.

The city’s traffic management sector will release a detailed traffic rerouting plan in the coming days to guide motorists on which areas to avoid and which roads to use as alternate routes on the day of the event.