MANILA — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has expressed strong dismay over reports that government workers were installing tarpaulins for his upcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA) despite the ongoing heavy rains and widespread flooding across the country.
Photos circulated on Tuesday showing Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) personnel putting up SONA-related tarpaulins, sparking criticism from the public and prompting an immediate response from Malacañang.
“The President is dismayed,” said Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, speaking on behalf of President Marcos. “Let me be clear: All SONA-related preparations are hereby ordered immediately suspended.”
Bersamin added, “The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), along with all concerned agencies, must put full attention and exclusive focus on flood response and relief operations.”
Earlier, reports confirmed that various areas in the country, including Metro Manila and provinces in Luzon and Visayas, experienced heavy flooding due to days of torrential rains brought by tropical systems and the southwest monsoon.
In light of this, Malacañang emphasized that the welfare and safety of the Filipino people take precedence over ceremonial preparations. The President ordered agencies to prioritize critical interventions such as rescue, evacuation, and provision of aid to affected communities.
The suspension of SONA-related activities comes just days before the President’s scheduled address, originally set to highlight administration achievements and policy directions. However, the Palace clarified that any non-essential tasks must be set aside to ensure that government resources and manpower are fully devoted to disaster response.
President Marcos has consistently called for swift action during emergencies, and his latest directive reinforces the administration’s commitment to prioritizing the needs of the people during times of crisis.
