Lockdowns, swab tests: Here’s how House is preparing for Duterte’s final SONA

By Billy Begas

House Sergeant-at-Arms Ret. Police Major General Ma O Aplasca said a “very stringent” protocol will be implemented for the final State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, July 26.

Aplasca said the security protocol was crafted in coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Presidential Security Group (PSG) to secure Duterte, members of the House of Representatives, Senate and other guests.

He said the House also conducted simulation exercises from the screening of those who would enter the Batasan Complex until the culmination of the President’s address.

Meanwhile, House Secretary General Mark Llandro Mendoza issued a Memorandum stating that a lockout will be implemented in the Batasan Complex from July 23 to 25.

During the lockout period, employees and non-House employees who need to work inside the Batasan Complex will be required to submit a negative antigen test result taken within the current week.

On SONA day, a negative result of a nasal RT-PCR test taken within 48 hours prior to July 26 and conducted by any Department of Health (DOH) accredited laboratory shall be required to everyone who will enter Batasan Complex. No saliva-based test result shall be accepted.

The House will administer RT-PCR testing to invited congressmen and essential officials and employees of the House Secretariat on Saturday and Sunday.

Those who will enter the Batasan Complex on the day of the SONA will need to undergo antigen testing to be conducted by the PSG.

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Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)