QUEZON CITY, (PIA)—President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. will deliver his fourth State of the Nation Address today under a good measure of austerity, with the traditional pomp and pageantry scaled back in solidarity with Filipinos recently battered by severe typhoons and flooding.

The move toward a simpler event at the House of Representatives follows calls from lawmakers, led by former Speaker Rep. Martin Romualdez of Leyte’s 1st district, to commiserate with citizens affected by widespread flooding just a week before the president’s annual address.

Heeding the call, the House Secretary General issued a memorandum on July 25, implementing significant changes to the red carpet protocol.

The directive effectively cancels the traditional “fashion show” atmosphere, with physical red carpets removed from the north and south wing lobbies.

Only the permanent red carpet in the main lobby will remain.

While the dress code remains formal, the memo requests that House members and guests avoid wearing ostentatious attire.

Austerity measures will extend beyond the entrance, according to Rep. Janette Garin of Iloilo’s 1st district.

Garin confirmed the guest list would be smaller than the initially expected 2,000, and that no new items will be procured for decorations.

Food served to guests will feature simple “local fare,” she said.

Despite the scaled-down affair, however, 85 members of the diplomatic corps have confirmed their attendance.

The ceremony will feature Sofronio Velasquez, winner of “The Voice” Season 26, who will sing the Philippine national anthem.

Extensive medical preparations are in place for the event.

A total of 160 medical personnel and 17 ambulances will be stationed at the Batasan Complex, with 115 hospital rooms reserved in various Metro Manila facilities for any potential emergencies. (JCO/PIA-NCR)