Govt allots P20M for SONA, draws criticism

The government has allocated an estimated P20 million for the 2024 State of the Nation Address (SONA), covering expenses such as food, renovations, uniforms, security, and decorations.

House Secretary General Reginald Velasco clarified that this is the total estimated budget for the SONA preparations and execution, not yet fully expended.

Kabataan Party-list criticized the P20-million budget as "insensitive" given the everyday struggles of Filipinos and the meager funding for education programs.

Kabataan Party-list Executive Vice President Renee Co likened the SONA budget to the "MET gala" and accused the administration of "vlogger governance" to distract from the nation's problems.

Guests wearing attire with protest messages will not be allowed entry into the House plenary, a policy ACT Teachers Party List Representative France Castro decried as a violation of freedom of expression.

Filipinos online have expressed outrage over the allocation, deeming it excessive, while Bayan president Renato Reyes criticized it as "tone-deaf pageantry and overkill security."