PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. yesterday said his speech for his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday is now 80 percent complete.
The President, in an interview with the Philippine media delegation in Washington (Wednesday in Manila) said his speech will focus on the status of his administration’s social and economic programs, and the government’s plans until the end of his term in 2028.
“The SONA is about 80 percent written. So, just a few more fine-tuning,” Marcos said in mixed English and Filipino.
“We will be talking about mainly the same things, about the social projects of the government for people in need. We will talk about the programs that we have initiated and will continue to promote and endorse until the end of this term. Hopefully, it will continue after my term. So, that’s what we expect from the SONA,” he said.
Marcos is set to deliver his fourth SONA on July 28 before the joint session of the 20th Congress, which will convene the First Regular Session on Monday morning.
Senate secretary Renato Bantug yesterday said the Senate continues to prepare for the opening of the 20th Congress next week despite the heavy rains and flooding in the metropolis because of the southwest monsoon.
Bantug said coordination for Monday’s opening, the joint session of Congress, and the SONA is being conducted via Zoom.
He said the preparations will likely extend until the weekend, adding that there is still a lot of things to be done, considering the number of visitors who will attend the SONA, including ambassadors from various countries, Cabinet secretaries and other government officials.
He also said contingency plans are being readied in the event that the inclement weather continues in the coming days. – With Ashzel Hachero
