Rainy, cloudy weather on SONA 2025 —PAGASA

Cloudy skies with rains are expected in different parts of the country, including Metro Manila, on Monday, where President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is set to hold his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the Batasan Pambansa Complex.

In a special weather outlook for the occasion, PAGASA said on Friday that the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat will be the dominant weather system affecting the country during the SONA.

“On Monday, July 28, the Southwest Monsoon will bring mostly cloudy skies with chances of isolated rains or thunderstorms over Metro Manila, Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Western Visayas, Negros Island Region, Zambales, Bataan, Cavite, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, and Palawan,” PAGASA said.

“The rest of the archipelago will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms,” the state weather bureau added.

PAGASA said the weather outlook will be updated if significant changes in the weather pattern occur.

House Secretary General Reginald Velasco issued a memo for the austere holding of the SONA amid the impact of Tropical Cyclones Crising, Dante, Emong, and the Southwast Monsoon or Habagat on the country.

"There will be no staged ceremonies, fashion coverage, or photo setups in the red carpet area," read the memo. 

"Members are respectfully urged to avoid ostentatious displays and exercise discretion in their wardrobe choices," it added.

According to the memo, this is "in view of the recent calamities affecting several regions of the country." 

The Senate will also not roll out the red carpet for the opening of the 20th Congress, according to Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero.

Several parts of the country are still reeling from the effects of consecutive storms amid days of heavy rains. The reported death toll due to Tropical Cyclones Crising, Dante, Emong and the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat has increased to 25 as of Friday morning. 

A state of calamity has also been declared in 84 cities and municipalities. —VAL, GMA Integrated News