Bad weather on SONA? OCD says protocol will depend on Congress
Office of Civil Defense (OCD) officer-in-charge Raffy Alejandro said Tuesday that the contingencies for President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr.'s State of the Nation Address next week would depend on Congress.
At a Palace press briefing, Alejandro was asked for the contingency measures in case there will be inclement weather during the President's fourth SONA, which is scheduled on July 28 at the Batasang Pambansa compound in Quezon City.
''Of course, we will depend on the protocol ng Congress po if they will suspend iyong SONA. But kami po... we are closely coordinating with the PNP po na magkaroon tayo ng orderly conduct ng flow ng mga pupunta sa SONA,'' Alejandro said.
(Of course, we will depend on the protocol of Congress if they will suspend SONA. But we are closely coordinating with the PNP so we can have an orderly conduct for those who will be attending the SONA.)
''So, kami po, ang mga areas na surrounding Congress ay hinahanda pa rin natin in case na magkaroon ng hindi magandang weather. So, in the event po na—or magkaroon ng suspension ng work or classes, tuluy-tuloy pa rin naman ang ating mga emergency responders na naka-standby in case na kailangan ng assistance during the SONA po,'' he added.
(We are preparing the areas surrounding Congress in case there will be inclement weather. So, in the event that there will be suspension of work or classes, emergency responders are on standby in case they need assistance during the SONA.)
Days before the SONA, several parts of the country are experiencing rains even after tropical cyclone Crising (international name: Wipha) left the Philippine Area of Responsibility last weekend.
Classes and government work have been suspended at least until Wednesday in Metro Manila and some provinces in Luzon and the Visayas due to the effects of the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat).
Earlier, Marcos directed the suspension of pre-SONA preparations and tasked government offices to focus and ensure the safety of the public amid the bad weather. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
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