AMIDST the heavy rain and floods, the palace puts a halt to President Ferdinand Marcos’ upcoming fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) preparations.   

On July 28, Marcos is set to deliver his upcoming SONA at the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City, as the first regular session of the 20th Congress begins. 

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin stated that the president was “dismayed” by the reports of government personnel putting up SONA-related materials as many communities battle with heavy floods.  

In the statement, it was written that all SONA-related preparations are immediately suspended while the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), along with other concerned agencies, must put their full attention on flood response as well as on relief operations. 

“The President’s directive is to focus all efforts on ensuring the safety and welfare of the Filipino people, especially during times of crisis. All government agencies are expected to act accordingly.” 

Metro Manila, along with other parts of the country, had recently battled with heavy floods caused by the southwest monsoon and low-pressure areas (LPA).    

In the latest report of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), about 362,465 families have been affected by the storm across all 17 regions nationwide.  

In a recent video statement released by Marcos, he assured that all frontline government agencies are in the works to address the needs of Filipinos from the weather.     

He encouraged agencies such as the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Transportation (DOTr), Department of Public Works and Highway (DPWH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and Office of Civil Defense (OCD) to coordinate with one another. 

Pre-positioning medical teams, relief supplies, and vehicles for those who might need to be evacuated from heavily flooded areas is one of them.