Araneta Center beefs up bus station for Holy Week

MANILA, Philippines - With thousands of passengers expected to troop to the Araneta Center bus station in Quezon City for the Holy Week break, its management vowed to beef up security measures in the area and immediate premises.

 

 

"We will be augmenting security, with at least 20 more guards for deployment to secure the area. There will also be additional K-9 units effective March 27, Friday," Araneta Center chief security officer Ernesto San Juan said.

 

With security on red alert, San Juan said that additional traffic enforcers will also be assigned in streets surrounding the bus terminal to manage expected traffic buildup especially from April 2 onwards.

 

He said the Araneta management is now coordinating with the local police and government agencies such as the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority for added security measures. 

 

"They will provide extra police forces throughout the Sabbatical. Security preparations in Barangay Socorro, where Araneta Center is located, are also in place," San Juan added. 

 

He said that there will also be a public service booth mounted in the area offering free blood pressure checkup, an emergency response unit, and a first aid station, with free call and charging stations, as well as free drinking water to the public.

 

All Araneta Center Malls - Farmers Plaza, Ali Mall, and Gateway Mall, even Aurora Tower- will be closed on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday to make way for yearly maintenance work and will resume normal operations on April 4, Saturday.