The Philippine National Police (PNP) is full ready for the demonstrations from many sectors during President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos' second State of the Nation Address (SONA) today, according to Interior Secretary Benjamin 'Benhur' Abalos.
To prepare for traffic, the PNP has worked with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), notably along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City.
According to the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), aerial drones will also be used to monitor pedestrian and vehicular flow.
From July 24 to July 25, a 24-hour gun restriction will be imposed in Central Luzon and Calabarzon.
At least 300 augmentation troops would be deployed to Batasan, Quezon City, from Regional Mobile Force Battalions in Bataan, Pampanga, and Angeles.
A reactive Standby Support Force, composed of 300 PNP personnel from the regional headquarters and other provincial police offices, has also been organized.
The Bulacan Police Provincial Office will deploy 271 personnel at border control points and toll gates. The PNP will be placed under full alert status on July 23–25.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will be on heightened alert on July 24 in preparation for the SONA and the possible effects of Severe Tropical Storm Egay.
The PCG’s districts in the National Capital Region—Central Luzon, Northeastern Luzon, Northwestern Luzon, Southern Tagalog, and Bicol—are on heightened alert, according to PCG commandant Admiral Artemio Abu yesterday.
Deployable response groups are on standby to execute rescue operations in provinces where Egay may be present.
Commodore Geronimo Tuvilla, head of the Coast Guard District Southern Tagalog, has urged station commanders to closely watch the storm's progress and liaise with the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management departments.
Abu stated that they worked with the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) and the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) to ensure the safety of all travelers and boats.
Among the demonstrations that authorities are expecting today is a transportation union Manibela that will go on strike for three days to protest the government's proposal to phase out traditional jeepneys.
Different labor organizations will also be present.
Nagkaisa will join United Labor and other federations and groups in a protest calling for a legislated wage increase, a stop to contractualization, an end to trade union repression, an end to red-tagging, and justice for victims of drug war-related killings.
Jun Ramirez, vice president of the Federation of Free Workers, stated that workers are in desperate need of a significant salary boost.
