PNP laying down 'finishing touches' on SONA preps

The Philippine National Police is nearly finished with its security preparations for President Benigno Aquino III’s sixth and final State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the Batasang Pambansa complex on July 27, PNP chief Director General Ricardo Marquez said Monday.

 

In an interview aired on “Unang Hirit,” Marquez said there are only a few “finishing touches” that the PNP has to take care of six days before the event.

 

“Okay na. Kaunti na lang siguro ang finishing touches. Ito ay napag-usapan na dito sa Camp Crame. Ni-coordinate na rin namin ang preparation na ito sa Presidential Security Group (PSG),” he said when asked about the status of the PNP’s preparations for the upcoming SONA.

 

At the House of Representatives, preparations are in full swing for the opening of the third and last regular session of the 16th Congress, with workers seen fixing chairs and other furniture inside the session hall on Monday. Some personnel had also started setting up production tents for members of the media outside the main building.

 

To ensure security of the Batasan Complex prior to the event, access to the compound will be restricted starting Friday to the accredited workers and media personnel provided with appropriate identification cards, said House public relations and information bureau executive director Ma. Bernadette dela Cuesta at a briefing earlier this month.

 

The President’s final SONA will feature a special performance of the Philippine National Anthem by 10-year-old “Asia’s Got Talent” finalist Gwyneth Dorado. —Xianne Arcangle/ALG, GMA News