House of Representatives (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)

The House of Representatives has officially begun its preparations for President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s second State of the Nation Address (SONA).

According to a five-page memorandum dated Monday, May 22 and signed by House Secretary General Reginald Velasco, the President's SONA this year will take place on July  24.

"Pursuant to the 1987 Constitution and following established traditions, the second regular session of the 19th Congress will convene on 24 July 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at the plenary hall of the House of Representatives (HRep)," it read.

"At 4 p.m. the same day, the joint session of Congress will be held to hear the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr.," added the memo, which was addressed to "House members, secretariat officials and personnel, and congressional staff".

The House of Representatives or Batasan Complex in Quezon City is the traditional site of the Philippine President's annual speech.

The memo further stated that "A one-kilometer radius "no fly zone" over the area of the HRep Complex shall be imposed from 1 p.m, to 7 p.m." on July 24.

"All non-SONA transactions are suspended from 20-24 July 2023," it said.

As per tradition, everyone is encouraged to wear Barong/ Filipiniana-inspired attire on SONA day. "Clothes and items with political messages shall not be allowed or displayed inside HRep premises," it said.

Picture-taking at the rostrum of the plenary hall after the SONA or adjournment of the joint session is prohibited, it further noted.

The ongoing first regular session of the 19th Congress will end on June 2.