Balancing government efforts to save lives and protect livelihoods will likely be part of President Duterte's State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA) on Monday as the country deals with the debilitating coronavirus pandemic.
(PCOO / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
The President's speech is expected to present the programs to address public concerns about health, food, education, and jobs, among others, amid the social and economic impact of the pandemic, according to Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar.
The President will deliver his fifth annual address under before a limited number of government officials at the House of Representatives in Quezon City. His highly-anticipated speech is expected to include the government roadmap for sustained coronavirus response and economic revival as the pandemic has resulted to more than 78,000 infections, weakened the local economy and displaced many workers.
"Ang kailangan kasi ng buong lipunan ngayon ay masiguro ang ating kalusugan, isa; pangalawa, masiguro din ang ating hanapbuhay (What the nation needs now is one to ensure our health and two, to protect our livelihoods)," Andanar said over radio interview on the eve of the President's SONA.
“Yung dalawang aspeto na iyon ay mayroon din namang kinalaman talaga sa kabuhayan ng isang tao at kailangan balanse na malusog ako, mabubuhay ako, mabubuhay ang pamilya ko at the same time, mabubuhay din ang pamilya ko, dahil mayroon akong trabaho at may makakain. Kaya kailangan balanse, kaya’t iyon po ang gusto ng taong malaman. So, palagay ay sa talumpati ng Presidente sa State of the Nation Address ay masasagot ang mga katanungan na iyon sa Lunes (These are the two aspects that affect a person’s life. There must be a balance that I am healthy, I will live, my family will live and at same time, I can provide for my family because I have a job and we have food. Balance is needed. That's what the people wants to know. So hopefully, these questions will be answered in the President's State-of-the-Nation Address on Monday)," he added.
Andanar said coronavirus pandemic is considered "one of the worst problems" faced by the nation in decades. He recognized that people would want to hear the government's action plan as the health crisis has thrown the nation into uncertainty.
"Gusto ng tao ay malaman kung saan daan tayo tatahakin ng ating Pangulo sa mga susunod na buwan. Sapagkat mahalaga kasi iyong assurance na makakain pa rin ang pamilya ko at makakapasok pa rin ang anak ko sa paaralan at may trabaho pa rin akong mapapasukan (The people want to know where the President will bring us in the coming months. It is important to give an assurance that my family has something to eat, my children can still go to school, and I still have a livelihood)," he said.
The country is largely under the modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) as the government sought to relax the lockdown measures to jumpstart the stalled economy and restore people’s livelihoods. The easing of quarantine restrictions, coupled with expanded testing efforts, however, have been blamed for the latest surge in coronavirus infections in the country.
In the face of the coronavirus threat, the President's SONA this year will be different from the previous annual addresses due to the implementation of health measures.
The health precautions include coronavirus testing for the President and other SONA guests as well as limiting the number of people inside the Batasan complex. The Presidential Security Group has committed to tighten health and safety measures to provide a 360-degree shield for Duterte and ensure a peaceful, successful and COVID-free SONA.
Andanar said the President may deliver the address in Malacañang if a significant number of Batasan guests test positive for the illness. "Kung mayroong magpositibo, malaki ang pagkakataon na ito ay ilipat na lamang sa Option B – diyan na lang sa Rizal Hall (If the tests turn out positive, there is a big change it will move to Rizal Hall under Option B)," he said.
According to Andanar, the President has practiced the delivery of the SONA and sought to edit and cut out some portions of the speech. The President is expected to make a final rehearsal Sunday night.
"Okay naman, swabe naman iyong pag-practice, iyong pag-rehearse ni Presidente. Mayroon siyang mga nakitang dapat lang baguhin doon sa kaniyang speech. Tapos kagabi mayroong additional pa na mga pagbabago. I understand ngayong gabi ang final rehearsal (The practice turned out okay. The President's rehearsal was suave. He sought some changes in the speech. Last Saturday night, there are additional changes to his speech)," he said.
"I understand there will be another rehearsal. Ewan ko lang kung matutuloy. Pero so far, so good. Gusto ni Presidente ay maisama ang mga dapat lang maisama sa talumpati (I don't know if it will push through. But so far, so good. The President wanted to include some items in his speech)," he said.
Due to the limited people invited to the SONA, the PCOO is expected to host an online "SONA watch party” Monday for certain national and local government officials and other guests.
Andanar said government officials and other sectoral representatives invited to the Zoom meetings will be required to follow the formal Filipino dress code. He said Joyce Bernal, director of this year's SONA, is expected to film these online meetings and include them in the coverage.
Under the Constitution, the President is mandated to deliver the annual SONA at the opening of Congress' regular session every fourth Monday of July. The speech usually contains the President's report on the state of the country and plans, including priority bills, for the coming year.