President Ferdinand ”Bongbong” Marcos Jr. ordered suspension of all preparation for the upcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA).

In a statement issued Tuesday, the Office of the Executive Secretary said the president was “dismayed” over reports that government personnel are putting up materials of SONA in public areas despite communities battling the onslaught of the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat.

Marcos is set to have his fourth SONA next week, July 28.

The Department of Public Works and Highways, together with other concerned agencies, must instead focus on flood response and relief operations, Bersamin said.

The OES said Marcos has directed that all efforts should be focused on ensuring the safety and welfare of the public, adding that all government agencies must act accordingly.

The Southwest Monsoon or Habagat continues to bring cloudy skies and torrential rains over most parts of the country, particularly in Luzon area.

PAGASA had said Metro Manila, CALABARZON, Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga, Bulacan, and Occidental Mindoro will have monsoon rains with the possibility that floods or landslides will occur due to moderate to heavy with at times intense rains.

The President had instructed concerned government agencies to ensure the safety of the people amid the floods in Metro Manila and several other provinces and to deliver assistance to flood victims quickly.