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PNP, MMDA: Ready for SONA 2025

By GMA Integrated News

The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said Sunday that they have made the necessary preparations for the fourth State of the Nation Address of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City on Monday, July 28.  

In an interview over Super Radyo dzBB, NCRPO spokesperson Police Major Hazel Asilo said they have been closely coordinating with the intelligence community.

 

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“Mahigpit po yung ating ginagawang koordinasyon sa ating intelligence community at sa pangunguna ng ating regional director ay wala po taying na-monitor na matinding banta na magko-cause po ng hindi maganda kumbaga sa araw ng SONA ng ating Pangulo,” she said.

(We are closely coordinating with the intelligence community and through the leadership of our regional director (Police Brigadier General Anthony Aberin) we have not monitored any serious threats that would cause anything untoward the SONA of our President.)

Regarding the planned protest actions that are a staple of any SONA, the NCRPO official said there are rallyists or groups that have been approved by the Quezon City local government but whose permits are subject to conditions to ensure their activities do not violate any laws and will be orderly.

“Pagdating po sa mga nagsabi na magkakaroon po sila ng kilos protesta, meron po tayong mga raliyista o mga grupo na inapprove na po ng local government yung mga kanila pong magiging rally bukas at kasabay po ng pag approve ng kanilang mga permits pero po tayong inilatag na mga kondisyon para naman po maging maayos yung kanilang pagsasagawa ng kanilang mga kilos protesta,” Asilo said. 

Asilo said both pro- and anti-government groups will only be allowed up to the St. Peter’s Parish Church. She said the same location to assemble was done to be fair and not to show bias towards any group.

The NCRPO said 22,987 police personnel have been deployed to conduct security for the annual event. Of the total complement, 16,060 are cops assigned to the NCRPO. Support units from Region 4A of Police Regional Office 3 number 3,707 police officers, while other agencies have contributed 3,220 personnel.

 

MMDA

Meanwhile, MMDA Chairman Romando Artes said the MMDA has prepared to ensure that traffic and floods will not hinder the SONA. 

In a separate interview on Super Radyo dzBB, Artes said, “Handang handa na po tayo. Mag iimplement po tayo ng counterflow or zipper lane as usual sa Commonwealth Avenue para mabigyan daan po ang mga dadalo ng SONA na guests such as foreign dignitaries makadaan po sa kabilang lane para hindi po maabala.”

 

(We are very ready. We will implement a counterflow along Commonwealth Avenue to allow SONA visitors such as foreign dignitaries to pass through without delay.)

To prevent possible flooding, the MMDA head said it has deployed temporary pumps that would quickly transfer water from the highway to a creek. It will also widen drainage inlets to allow more water to pass through. 

“Naiayos na din natin po ang drainage inlet sa Commonwealth (Avenue) with the assistance of San Miguel Corp. Nilakihan po ang pasukan ng tubig para po mabilis makapunta sa drainage at mailabas papunta po sa creek sa kabilang side. Water coming from the IBP Road. During inspection, the one foot by one foot of what was formerly two meters by three meters. Can’t say who was behind the reduction. Old images show there were formerly several inlets that have since disappeared,” he explained.

Artes said when the MMDA talked to the latest contractor of the MRT-7, the company said they are the second contractor and that they do not know what happened that caused the missing inlets. 

The MMDA chief said the agency is not looking for someone to blame or making excuses but are instead looking for a workable solution.

Artes said the solution the MMDA has come up with is to install two large inlets where water could pass through to the other side of the major thoroughfare to a creek. 

According to Artes, there is also a post blocking the drainage that has become a chokepoint for rainwater. As a temporary measure, the MMDA has deployed temporary pumps to redirect the water to the creek on the opposite side of the highway.  Last Saturday, the agency said that aside from runoff water, the water level was manageable. 

“Hopefully ma-sustain namin whole year round tuwing may pag-ulan ang ganitong programa and maayos po yung drainage para maiwasan po yung poste na naitayo.” he said.

(Hopefully, we could sustain this program every time it rains and we fix the drainage to avoid the post that was constructed.) 

The MMDA said the No Contract Apprehension Policy (NCAP) will be implemented along Commonwealth Avenue. — RF, GMA Integrated News 

Tags: SONA 2025, NCRPO, MMDA, Commonwealth Ave Quezon City
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