Passengers start flocking to Araneta Bus Terminal ahead of Holy Week break

Some passengers bound for the provinces for the long Holy Week break have started flocking to the old Araneta Center Bus Terminal in Quezon City on Tuesday, according to a report by GMA News' Chino Gaston on Balitanghali.

Officials expect the influx of passengers to peak on Wednesday, the last working day of the week, until Thursday morning, the report said.

A police assistance desk was put up at the terminal to maintain security as well as to assist passengers who will be in need of help, it added.

Authorities said they did not detect any threats amid the information received by the Philippine National Police (PNP) on terrorist groups that may attempt to conduct kidnapping activities in Central Visayas.

To accommodate the expected large volume of passengers, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has approved a total of 1,153 special permits to augment the 8,000 franchised buses going in and out of Metro Manila during the Holy Week.

Meanwhile, PNP chief Director Ronald Dela Rosa conducted an inspection of the Araneta Center bus terminal. 

Dela Rosa first visited the old Cubao bus terminal where he talked to security officers in the area and bus passengers.

PNP chief Dela Rosa checks baggage area and mingles with passengers at the Araneta Center Bus Port. | @marizumali pic.twitter.com/k5Yb8qiN67

— GMA News (@gmanews) April 11, 2017

—Marlly Rome Bondoc/KBK, GMA News