PNP on full alert, issued traffic advisory for independence rites in Malolos

MALOLOS CITY—Bulacan police will be on full alert status starting Monday in preparation for the 114th Independence Day celebrations at the historic Barasoain Church that will be led by President Benigno Aquino III on Tuesday.

The celebrations, Governor Wilhelmino Alvarado said is a big boost for Bulacan tourism while highlighting the historical events that transpired here over a century ago.

Supt. Adriano Enong, the deputy provincial director for operations of the Bulacan Provincial Police Office (BPPO) said about 1,000 police officers and soldiers of the Armed Force of the Philippines will be deployed within this city.

He said that 450 police officers will be deployed for traffic control and possible crowd disturbance.

“Lahat ng kanto may itatalaga kaming pulis for security and traffic directions,” he said.

At least 150 member of the AFP Headquarters Batallion will secure President Benigno Aquino III’s arrival along with 200 members of the Presidential Security Group (PSG).

Enong said that 100 soldiers from the Army’s 56th Infantry Battalion will be deployed in key areas to secure outer perimeter.

He also said that fire trucks and ambulanced will be on standby near Barasoain church and other strategic areas for immediate response for possible emergency. It will be directed by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office.

Enong also announced traffic advisories for Tuesday.

He said that the stretch of the MacArthur Highway from Tabang in Guiguinto town to Calumpit town will be closed for heavy vehicles except for busses starting Tuesday 6AM.

In similar manner, Paseo del Congreso, the main road that leads to Barasoain Church from the MacArthur Highway will be closed for all vehicles from 6AM to about 10AM on Tuesday.

Enong advised drivers of heavy vehicles like cargo trucks to make a detour on the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) to avoid the MacArthur Highway on Tuesday morning.

He explained that prohibition for cargo trucks was meant to declog traffic at the Malolos intersection here because the Malolos flyover remained under repai and non-passable to large vehicles.

The said flyover was closed to all vehicles on may 19, but was opened to light vehicles last week.

Meanwhile, Gov. Alvarado said  Tuesday’s independence day celebrations is big boost for the province’s tourism noting that 25 candidates for Miss World Philippines will come for free.

He said that pageants organizers usually require P5-Million budget for candidates visit in order to promote local tourism.

Alvarado said that the candidates were supposed to go to Ilocos Sur, but Governor Chavit Singsong cannot accommodate them until after the Independence Day Celebrations as he joined his friend Manny Pacquiao for the latter’s championship fight with Timothy Bradley Jr., at the MGM Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Alvarado also said that Tuesday’s celebration is a big opportunity to promote the province’s colorful history along with what transpired at Barasoain Church over a century ago.

He said that without the Malolos Congress that convened at Barasoain Church on September 15, 1898, General Emilio Aguinaldo’s independence day celebration at Kawit , Cavite months before is meaningless.

He said that the Malolos Congress ratified the independence day declaration of Aguinaldo which was recognized by then international community.

“Malolos Congress also gave birth to our first Constitution and the first democratic republic in Asia and Africa,” Alvarado said.