MANILA — There will be no red carpet and long gowns during President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) next month, according to House of Representatives Secretary General Cheloy Garafil on Tuesday.

In a report, it said that Garafil made the announcement following the first inter-agency coordination meeting for the July 27 SONA preparations.

“There will be no red carpet, no long gowns,” Garafil said, adding that the guidance will be included in the official invitation.

“We encourage guests to wear simple but dignified clothing fit for the occasion,” she added.

Officials from the House of Representatives, Senate, Office of the President, security agencies, local government units, and other concerned offices attended the meeting to discuss logistical, security, protocol, and operational preparations for the annual address before Congress.

The Senate delegation was led by Secretary Renato Bantug Jr., who said the chamber is ready to coordinate with concerned agencies to ensure the smooth conduct of the event.

Undersecretary Reichel Quinones of the Office of the President, who also serves as Chief of Presidential Protocol, thanked the House for hosting the initial coordination meeting and expressed confidence in its capability to organize the SONA.