ON Monday, July 22, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Junior will be delivering the third State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the Batasang Pambansa Complex.
As a result of this, the Brigada Eskwela school maintenance program for public schools will be momentarily canceled. Classes will also be canceled.
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte has already canceled classes for public and private schools, as well as any activities related to the Brigada Eskwela in public schools.
This will be done to lessen the heavy traffic that is anticipated for this coming Monday.
Gun, liquor bans
Aside from the suspension of classes, the government will also be implementing a liquor ban throughout Quezon City from 12:01 AM to 6:00 PM. Local government units explain that this is to maintain peace and security throughout the President’s SONA.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has also started to implement a gun ban throughout Metro Manila; this ban started last July 20th and is set to end on July 23. In Quezon City, this started today, July 21, and will end tomorrow at 11:59 PM. This is to ensure the safety of the country’s citizens.
During this ban, only members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP,) PNP, and any other law enforcement agencies on duty and permitted to carry firearms will be allowed to have them in their person.
Even if your firearms have permits, all will be suspended as long as you are in the National Capital Region (NCR.)
Reportedly, however, MMDA Acting Chairperson Romando Artes will not be lifting the number coding scheme, so any penalties will continue to apply. This is to ensure that traffic will not increase and that there will not be any vehicle congestion on the day of the SONA.
Places like Commonwealth Avenue and IBP Road will also be momentarily closed in preparation for this.
As per QCPD Director P/Brig. Gen. Redrico A. Maranan, these steps are crucial to ensure the safety and security of citizens during the SONA.
“By implementing these measures, we aim to prevent any untoward incidents and maintain public order throughout the event,” he stated.
“We urge everyone to cooperate and adhere to these regulations for the benefit of all.”
