Quezon City government, progressive groups agree on protocols for SONA rallies
MANILA – Rally organizers from different progressive groups, Mayor Joy Belmonte and police authorities agreed to prioritize health protocols during their respective programs tomorrow as President Rodrigo Duterte delivers his last State of the Nation Address (SONA).
Mayor Belmonte, Quezon City Police Chief General Antonio Yarra and several other government officials met with Bayan’s Renato Reyes, SENTRO’s Joshua Mata, Sanlakas’ Flora Santos, Akbayan’s Gio Tiongson and Bukluran ng Manggawang Pilipino’s Dante Lagman earlier and agreed to carry out their activities sans risks to public health.
According to a statement from the Quezon City government, Mayor Belmonte underscored the dangers brought about by the Delta variant as well as the risks brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. The rallies will be held at different freedom parks.
“We have an existing health crisis made more volatile by the presence of the highly infections Delta variant in Metro Manila. It is everyone’s civic duty to adhere to minimum health standards and limited mobility,” she said.
Contact tracing will be made should there be any individual found COVID-19 positive. Different groups have been requested to submit plans of their health protocols. Rally organizers said they would abide by the city’s ordinances and would not hold any program at Commonwealth Avenue to avoid traffic disruption. Fully vaccinated individuals would be allowed to attend the rallies to lessen health risks. Rallies will not go beyond St. Peter’s Church along Commonwealth Avenue.
Food will not be served, facemasks, face shields and hand sanitizers will be provided by rally organizers. (Melo M. Acuña)
Progressive groups unfurl a 48 x 10 banner late Sunday afternoon along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City. (Supplied Photo/Melo M. Acuna)