MMDA to launch high-tech mobile command center for SONA


At a glance

  • In an advisory, the MMDA said they are tasked to manage vehicular and pedestrian traffic, assist in emergency response, conduct road and sidewalk clearing operations, assist in crowd control, and traffic monitoring.


The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will launch a high-tech mobile command center used for President Marcos' third State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 22, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said.

Marcos_SONA_noel.jpg
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. (Noel Pabalate)

The PCO, citing MMDA Acting Chairman Atty. Don Artes said the mobile command center has many features that will be utilized for the first time.

Artes said 1,300 MMDA personnel will be deployed on Monday, not counting the street sweepers who will maintain the cleanliness of the roads leading to Batasan Pambansa.

"Pero just the same naghanda na rin po tayo ng mga maglilinis para pagkatapos po ng rally malinis po iyong kanilang pagdadausan ng rally at madaanan po ng mga motorista nang maayos iyong Commonwealth (We have a team on standby so the roads will be clean after the rallies and motorists can traverse Commonwealth without issues)," he said.

The MMDA chief said rerouting schemes will be implemented on Monday, adding that details are posted on their social media page.

"Magkakaroon din po ng zipper lanes sa Commonwealth para po iyong mga dadalo sa SONA ng ating Pangulo may madadaanan po ng mabilis (We will have zipper lanes in Commonwealth for those attending the SONA)," Artes said.

Earlier this week, the MMDA said it is 100 percent ready for the SONA of President Marcos.

In an advisory, the MMDA said they are tasked to manage vehicular and pedestrian traffic, assist in emergency response, conduct road and sidewalk clearing operations, assist in crowd control, and traffic monitoring.

On Friday, July 19, President Marcos said his speech for the SONA was already completed and was undergoing fine-tuning.

Marcos said that they are trying to keep his SONA short. His speech last year lasted 70 minutes while his first SONA went on for 74 minutes.

“Ang problema, napaka… marami ang gusto kong pag-usapan. Baka humaba masyado, kaya hinahanapan namin, pina-prioritize namin lahat (The problem is there are so many things we wanted to talk about. We’re concerned it might be long so we’re looking for ways… we’re prioritizing items),” he said.

“Tapos baka pwede makapag-explain ang ating mga secretary dun sa mga detalye ng iba (Then perhaps the secretaries can explain the other details),” he added.

Last week, President Marcos said that his administration plans to release a SONA briefer to public and private stakeholders and schools. The SONA briefer will discuss in detail the government’s achievements, particularly those that might not make the SONA speech.