HOUSE Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin G. Romualdez on Tuesday said he expects President Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte in his final State of the Nation Address (SONA) to present his achievements in the last five years of his administration and focus on continued recovery plans, delivery of basic services and healthcare programs of the government to battle the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic.

“There were so many great achievements of President Duterte and I expect him to present these during his final SONA. I expect the President also to focus on the continued recovery plans and healthcare programs to fight the pandemic,” Romualdez, president of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD), told Isa Avendaño Umali and Divine Reyes’ Bantay Balita sa Kongreso over Super Radyo dzBB.

“Like his previous SONA, the speech of the President will be full of optimism and hope. I believe he will discuss the significant achievements of his administration in the fight against criminality,

illegal drugs, COVID-19, improvement on the delivery of the government’s assistance to the vulnerable sectors, among others,” Romualdez said.

On top of the proposed 2022 national budget, Romualdez said the leadership of Speaker Lord Allan Velasco is prepared to pass possible additional priority measures in the remaining one year of his administration.

“Maghihintay rin kami ng additional priority measures na gusto niyang (President Duterte) ipasa in the remaining one year of his term,” Romualdez said.

Romualdez also said that preparations at the Batasan Complex for the final SONA of President Duterte before a joint session of Congress has been in full swing.

“Excited tayong lahat para diyan at naghihintay pa kami ng updates sa final details from Malacañang. On our part, siguro katulad ng dati, mahigpit pa rin ang health and safety protocols for our physical attendees like requirement for RT-PCR swab test to ensure the safety of the people who will be there in the House of Representatives, including President Duterte,” Romualdez said.

“Wearing of face mask and face shield are still required. Social distancing, one-way travel direction and submission of health declarations will also be implemented,” he said.

“Let me just reiterate na sana mapagbigyan ng Malacañang ang mas maraming physical attendees, kahit at least 200 lalo kung fully vaccinated naman para personal na masaksihan ang huling SONA ng ating Pangulo. Sa aking pagkakatanda last year, limited sa 100 ang physical attendees, 25 ang House members. Noong walang pandemic at least 1,000 to 1,300 people ang kayang i-accommodate ng session hall,” Romualdez explained.

“Of course we want to accommodate many guests as possible without compromising their security and safety,” Romualdez added.

VELASCO SAYS HOUSE TO HIGHLIGHT DUTERTE ACHIEVEMENTS

Velasco said preparations for President Duterte’s sixth and final SONA is in high gear in the House of Representatives as he spearheads a series of initiatives highlighting the legislative accomplishments of the Duterte administration.

“Even before the pandemic hit, we were able to pass laws on universal health care, free tertiary education, establishment of Malasakit centers, expanded maternity leave, free public internet access and the Bangsamoro Organic Law, to name a few,” Velasco said.

At the height of the pandemic, Velasco said Congress and the Executive worked together to produce pieces of legislation designed to help address and cushion the socioeconomic impact of the ongoing public health crisis, such as the Bayanihan laws, General Appropriations Act of 2021, and COVID-19 Vaccination Program Act.

“Most of our colleagues in Congress agree that we should give credit where it’s due, and the truth is that there were a lot of key legislative measures enacted during PRRD’s term,” Velasco said.

Velasco rallied House members to take part in the pre-SONA campaign dubbed as “Sa Lahat ng Pagbabago, Salamat Pangulo! (A Pre-SONA Tribute by the 18th Congress),” which features the priority programs and policies implemented in the different legislative districts across the country under the Duterte administration.

The Speaker has designated Pangasinan 4th District Rep. Christopher “Toff” De Venecia as project director for the said undertaking. A focal person was also assigned in each region and in the party-list coalition.

House lawmakers, particularly those belonging to the supermajority coalition, were tasked to produce 60- to 90-second videos using the theme “Mula sa Inyong Kongreso, Progreso para sa Pilipino.”

Each video highlights the priority programs of district and party-list lawmakers that were implemented and made possible since President Duterte assumed office in 2016.

The videos will be posted on the official Facebook page of the House of Representatives starting July 5. An 84-second video featuring Speaker Velasco and his lone district of Marinduque kicks off the pre-SONA campaign. https://fb.watch/v/878lr71Av/

“Members of Congress whole-heartedly embraced this project, as they are sincerely thankful to the President in his help with programs that greatly benefited their constituents in their respective districts,” Velasco said.

On the actual day of the SONA, July 26, a multimedia exhibit will be put up in the North and South Wing lobbies of the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City. A tableau of President Duterte’s accomplishments will also be set up at the rear entrance of the Main Building where the Chief Executive will make his way into the plenary to deliver his final SONA.

“We in Congress truly appreciate what President Duterte has done for our country, and all of these accomplishments will be highlighted in these exhibits,” Velasco said.

“We have tagged these projects with the phrase ‘Kay Duterte, Posible’, and many great things were truly made possible during our dear PRRD’s term,” he added.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Ryan Ponce Pacpaco