For the ninth and last time, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo of the Republic of the Philippines will be giving her State of the Nation Address (SONA) today, July 27, 2009 (Manila time) at the Batasang Pambansa complex in Quezon City, at four o’clock in the afternoon.
According to House Secretary General Marilyn Barua-Yap, the event is expected to have a bigger crowd compared to the audience of last year’s SONA because this event will be the last SONA for her presidency. With this expectation, the Batasang Pambansa will most likely be highly secured during the event. Recent events like bombings and lightning rallies inside the compound have made the House administration to increase the security of the SONA 2009. Security measures include the bomb sniffing dogs that have been patrolling the area over the past few days, the Administration’s attempt on borrowing a thermal scanner for temperature check, and color-coded ID’s which will serve as the entrance pass of the audience in their respective areas.
Last year’s SONA focused on the importance of the strengthening of the agricultural sector and the Value Added Tax (VAT) for the development of the country, for increased assistance to those in need, and for better infrastructures for better public service. This year, a lot of people expect that the President will most likely highlight the achievements of her administration since 2001, the issue on Charter Change, and the political issues around her. It is also said that the President will discuss the direction of the national budget for the year 2009.
You may want to see the live coverage of the State of the Nation Address today, July 27, 2009 at 4pm (Manila Time). Just visit the Sun.Star Coverage on ustream.tv and see the live coverage of the SONA 2009.
You may also want to read the whole SONA details by reading it here or downloading it here.
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