The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said all set for the fourth State of the Nation Address of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City on Monday, July 28.

NCRPO spokesperson Police Major Hazel Asilo said they are close coordinating with the intelligence community and no serious threat was monitored.

Regarding the planned protest actions that are a staple of any SONA, the NCRPO official said there are rallyists or groups that have been approved by the Quezon City local government but whose permits are subject to conditions to ensure their activities do not violate any laws and will be orderly.

Asilo said both pro- and anti-government groups will only be allowed up to the St. Peter’s Parish Church. She said the same location to assemble was done to be fair and not to show bias towards any group.

The NCRPO said 22,987 police personnel have been deployed to conduct security for the annual event. Of the total complement, 16,600 are cops assigned to the NCRPO while support units from Region 4A of Police Regional Office 3 number 3,707 police officers while other agencies have contributed 3,2020 personnel.

Meanwhile, MMDA Chairman Romando Artes said the MMDA has prepared to ensure that traffic and floods will not hinder the SONA.

In a separate interview, Artes said, “Handang handa na po tayo. Mag iimplement po tayo ng counterflow or zipper lane as usual sa Commonwealth Avenue para mabigyan daan po ang mga dadalo ng SONA na guests such as foreign dignitaries makadaan po sa kabilang lane para hindi po maabala.”

To prevent possible flooding, the MMDA head said it has deployed temporary pumps that would quickly transfer water from the highway to a creek. It will also widen drainage inlets to allow more water to pass through.

“Naiayos na din natin po ang drainage inlet sa Commonwealth with the assistance of San Miguel Corp. Nilakihan po ang pasukan ng tubig para po mabilis makapunta sa drainage at mailabas papunta po sa creek sa kabilang side. Water coming from the IPP Road. During inspection, the one foot by one foot  of what was formerly two meters by three meters. Can’t say who was behind the reduction. Old images show there were formerly several inlets that have since disappeared,” he explained.

Artes said when the MMDA talked to the latest contractor of the MRT-7, the company said they are the second contractor and that they do not know what happened that caused the missing inlets.

The MMDA chief said the agency is not looking for someone to blame or making excuses but are instead looking for a workable solution.

Artes said the solution the MMDA has come up with is to install two large inlets where water could pass through to the other side of the major thoroughfare to a creek.

According to Artes, there is also a post blocking the drainage that has become a chokepoint for rainwater. As a temporary measure, the MMDA has deployed temporary pumps to redirect the water to the creek on the opposite side of the highway.  Last Saturday, the agency said that aside from runoff water, the water level was manageable.

The MMDA said the No Contract Apprehe“nsion Policy (NCAP) will be implemented along Commonwealth Avenue.