Southwest Monsoon Challenges Senate’s Sona Preparations
MANILA, Philippines — Torrential rains from the southwest monsoon have created a significant challenge for the Senate’s preparations for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fourth State of the Nation Address. Senate Secretary Atty. Renato Bantug Jr. assured the public that contingency plans are being crafted to address any disruptions caused by the persistent downpour.
As the chamber readies itself for the Sona and the opening of Congress’ session on July 28, Bantug shared in a phone interview that some meetings have shifted online due to the ongoing heavy rains. “Our preparations are ongoing. This morning, around 11 a.m., I had a Zoom meeting with the officers and employees involved in the preparations,” he said in Filipino, emphasizing that physical and logistical tasks will be completed over the weekend if the bad weather continues.
Adapting to Weather Impact on Event Flow
Among the key tasks is planning the sequence of the session’s opening and arranging how the Senate will welcome visitors from various sectors. Bantug admitted that the southwest monsoon has disrupted their usual routine, but the team remains committed to moving forward despite the challenges.
“We prepare for all of this every year, but now there’s a slight challenge because we can’t meet in person. Still, our preparations are ongoing,” he said, mostly in Filipino. He added, “We’ll continue, either through Zoom again, but we’re all in constant communication through text. There’s a lot that can be done remotely; not everything needs to be done on site.”
Contingency Plans for Persistent Rain
When asked about the biggest hurdle, Bantug highlighted the need to prepare for a scenario where heavy rains persist during the Sona. “So if it rains, we have to make certain adjustments—like where the guests will be dropped off in case of heavy rainfall. We’ve already encountered ordinary challenges in past years, so those are predictable and we’re used to handling them. But we must prepare in case the weather worsens and figure out how to implement contingency measures,” he explained.
Current Weather Situation and Impact Areas
The state weather bureau continues to monitor Tropical Depression Dante, located east-southeast of Batanes within the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), along with another low-pressure area outside PAR, last seen far east of Eastern Visayas. The southwest monsoon, locally known as habagat, is forecasted to bring heavy rains across numerous provinces including Zambales, Bataan, Metro Manila, Cavite, Batangas, and others.
With these conditions, preparations for the Sona and Congress opening remain flexible and adaptive. Local leaders noted that while the southwest monsoon brings challenges, the government is determined to ensure smooth proceedings despite the weather.
For more news and updates on southwest monsoon challenges, visit Filipinokami.com.
