Marcos wants House to accommodate everyone who wants to attend SONA 2024

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has instructed the House of Representatives to accommodate everyone who wants to attend his State of the Nation Address on Monday, July 22.

This was revealed by House Secretary General Reginald Velasco.

“I had a chit-chat with the president yesterday and I said there are a lot of people who would like to attend this SONA this July 22nd. And he said to me, 'Accommodate all of them,'” Velasco said.

Velasco added that more than 2,000 individuals from the government, the private sector, and non-government organizations have signified their desire to attend the SONA.

The seating capacity of the session hall, however, is 2,000, according to Velasco.

As in last year’s SONA, the House of Representatives will add seats in the session hall and will open several function rooms to accommodate guests.

More than 2,000 invitations have already been sent out, including the one for Vice President Sara Duterte. But it is not yet clear if she has confirmed her attendance.

Former presidents, vice presidents, Senate presidents, and House speakers have also been invited.

An inter-agency committee will come up with the seating plan for the session hall.

Renovations in several areas are ongoing.

“This is an old building. That’s why we have decided to renovate the North [Wing], South [Wing], and that back lobby, back entrance," Velasco said.

"We have decided to install air conditioning kasi nahihirapan 'yung mga guests minsan. Pumipila. And then as you know, sa SONA, all the VIPs will be passing through North and South lobbies. Major complaint, napakainit,” Velasco explained.

(We have decided to install air conditioning because our guests are inconvenienced. They have to fall in line... Major complaint, it is so hot.)

The House of Representatives will also be locked down starting July 19, the Friday before the SONA, for security reasons.

Last month, the National Capital Region Police Office said it may deploy more police personnel and implement better measures to ensure security during the SONA. —KG, GMA Integrated News