MMDA augments SONA security: We are 100% ready


At a glance

  • According to Miro, over 1,329 MMDA personnel will be deployed on July 22 to take care of the traffic situation.


The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) assured the public that security measures are "100 percent ready" for President Marcos' third State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 22.

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President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. (Noel Pabalate/File)

Emmanuel Miro, head of MMDA Special Events, said this in a news briefing in Quezon City amid concerns about the security during the annual event.

While he declined to disclose details of the security measures, Miro said concerned government agencies had done all the necessary preparations days before the third SONA. For the MMDA's part, he said the agency is in charge of traffic concerns.

"Bilang bahagi po ng security interagency, it seems na okay naman. Mukhang hundred percent na tayo (As part of the security interagency, it seems okay. It appears we're at 100 percent ready)," he said.

According to Miro, over 1,329 MMDA personnel will be deployed on July 22 to take care of the traffic situation.

"This includes po sa traffic management, parking management, clearing, pati din po iyong ating mga technical team na mag-monitor po sa ating mga highways (and our technical team that will monitor our highways),” he said.

The MMDA official said there will be a final interagency coordination meeting with Congress, the Senate, and the Office of the President. There will also be another one with the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) to finalize all plans and the deployment.

Miro said traffic measures will be implemented in key areas in Quezon City such as Luzon Avenue, Tandang Sora, and Ever Gotesco.

The MMDA will also be on the lookout for militant groups that might conduct protest actions during the SONA. They are also expecting supporters of President Marcos to arrive and hold rallies to support the Chief Executive.