Manila: As President Rodrigo Duterte delivers his first State of the Nation Address on Monday, a fixture during similar occasions in the past will be conspicuously absent this year: barricades.

According to Senior Supt. Guillermo Eleazar, head of the Quezon City police, they will not be putting up barricades along the road leading the Batasan (House of Representatives complex) on Monday as left-wing activists have committed to not using force to make their way to the area and observing peaceful assembly.

Nevertheless, he said, water cannon-equipped fire trucks and truncheon-wielding riot police would be on standby.

Duterte will be delivering his first-ever State of the Nation Address (SONA) following his election on May 9 to the post of 16th President of the Republic.

During SONA, the leader is expected report of the achievements of his administration and declare his governance plans for the coming year.

Duterte, a populist leader, had made good on his campaign promise with the left to appoint some of their leaders into his Cabinet.

Renato Reyes, secretary general of the left-wing Bayan (New Patriotic Alliance), said that unlike in previous SONA occasions when there was violence as protesters and security forces clash in the streets, this time it would be different.

“Unlike in previous SONA where our tone is anti-administration, this time it would be different. We support some of his politics such as his opposition to destructive mining and assertion of the country’s sovereignty and more importantly, the peace process,” he said.

Holding meetings with left-wing leaders such as Jose Maria Sison, founder of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), was among the promises Duterte made during his campaign for the presidency. Ending the 47-year-old CPP is a key plan of his administration.

The occasion

Some 293 members of the House of Representatives, 24 senators and hundreds of guests will be present at Monday’s SONA.

Previous SONA events have been a showcase of opulence. This time however, Duterte had issued strict orders for the legislators and attendees to keep things simple by coming to the occasion in business attire.

“Change has indeed come to the Palace where President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has begun underdressing the norm. Tomorrow, we see change knocking at the doors of the 17th Congress,” said Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar.

Instead of expensive fare, he said attendees can expect simple fare for lunch such as salted egg salad, spring rolls and Duterte’s favourite, mongo bean soup, among other inexpensive and common Filipino food.

“From fashion to food to message and messenger, the first State of the Nation Address under President Duterte is keeping everyone excited and grounded, and mindful of the work ahead, a complete departure from the procession of glitz and glamour, and lavishness that used to mark the ceremony in previous administrations,” he said.

The Palace earlier said that it does not want Duterte’s message to the people to be lost in opulence of the occasion, so they made preparations as simple as they can.

Andanar said the Duterte himself wrote his 30-45 minute presidential address. “It is a very powerful speech personally written by the President that will awaken the patriot in every Filipino.”