Preparations underway for Noy’s SONA

MANILA, Philippines - Preparations are underway for President Aquino’s fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 22, which will usher in the second half of his presidency.

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the Presidential Management Staff (PMS) and Secretary to the Cabinet Rene Almendras are now gathering the achievements of government agencies.

“PMS is responsible for tracking the promises made last SONA – what we have delivered, what we still need to deliver,” Lacierda said in an interview with radio  dzRB yesterday.

Lacierda also said Communications Undersecretary Manolo Quezon informed him that the outline of the speech has been revised twice.

“It is just an outline and we do not have the actual speech yet,” Lacierda clarified.

Aquino will be overseeing the preparations for the SONA while performing his regular tasks as President.

“Between now and the State of the Nation Address, apart from the daily briefings (and) the daily work that the President will be engaging, there will be opportunities to meet with the speechwriters and also with the Cabinet secretaries and PMS to discuss on the State of the Nation Address,” Lacierda said.