PSG vows safe conduct of Marcos’ first SONA

MANILA – The Presidential Security Group (PSG) convened an inter-agency meeting on Monday to tackle safety and security preparations for President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s first State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 25.

“This is in line with the guidance of PSG Group Commander, Colonel Ramon Zagala, PA to ensure the safety and security of the President, to include all the attendees and the whole event itself,” the PSG post read.

The meeting with the core group was spearheaded by PSG Task Force SONA 2022 Commander Col. Nelson Aluad.

In addition to the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Coast Guard, Manila International Airport Authority, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, Department of Health, and National Intelligence Coordinating Agency were present.

The PSG said series of oculars, walk-throughs, and inter-agency coordination will also be conducted until the day of the SONA itself.

The SONA is a constitutional obligation and yearly tradition where the President reports on the status of the country unveils the government’s agenda for the coming year and proposes to Congress certain legislative measures.

According to the 1987 Philippine Constitution, the SONA should be “every year on the fourth Monday of July.”

The SONA marks the start of a new regular session of Congress.

In the last two SONAs of former President Rodrigo Duerte, guests were required to present their proof of vaccination and negative Covid-19 test results via a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction two days before the event.

On SONA day, guests are also subject to a rapid antigen test at the Batasang Pambansa.