ILOILO CITY — Mayor Jose Espinosa III ordered Iloilo City hall employees to go home early to be able to watch the third State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Monday afternoon.
The announcement of a 3 p.m. cut-off time was made during the flag-ceremony and again in a meeting with heads of offices. Regular work schedule is from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The mayor said he will also listen to the President’s plan for the country and also to learn about what were accomplished by the national government in the past year.
“The SONA is important because it will present the programs, policies of the government that is being anticipated by everyone,” he said.
He added that personally he would like to know about the direction of the government when it comes to federalism.
“It has to be pushed this time because President Duterte said that federalism would be during his incumbency. If he is bent really on transforming our government to federal form of government, the time is now,” he said.
Likewise, he also expects to hear the President’s statement about the economy due to laws passed by Congress such as the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law.
He is also eager to learn about updates on the President’s various campaigns such as on drugs, corruption, and transparency.
In addition to giving the workers time to listen to the President’s SONA, Espinosa said giving them an early off is also part of preparations, especially that a yellow warning was issued by the weather bureau for the southern portion of Iloilo due to the southwest monsoon and Tropical Depression Josie.
It warns of possible flooding in low-lying areas and landslides on mountainous areas.
He said that a skeletal force will continue to render duty at the city hall. (Perla Lena/PNA)