MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino will be back in the country today following his state visit to Vietnam and attendance to the 17th Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the President would pay respect to his departed loved ones, particularly his parents, former President Corazon Aquino and former Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr., at the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque City.
Valte described the President’s trip as fruitful and successful because he was able to have substantial discussions with heads of state and government during bilateral meetings.
She said aside from agreements forged, Mr. Aquino was able to relay to the international community that the Philippines is open for business and that it is now friendlier to investors.
She said the President is expected to report on his achievements from the trip upon arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 this afternoon.
All set
Meanwhile, officials of the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque City said they have yet to be advised by Malacañang if President Aquino and his sisters will visit their parents’ tomb any time soon.
Park manager Lamberto Peña assured that safety measures, including police deployment and ambulance cars, are already in place and that they have already set up tents.
“Policemen have been deployed in preparation for the President’s visit and the expected influx of people until Nov. 2,” Peña told The STAR.
Manila Memorial Park is a resting place for several personalities, including Aquino’s parents, alleged killer of the President’s father Rolando Galman, former Pasay City mayor and Sharon Cuneta’s father Pablo Cuneta, and father of former President Fidel Ramos, Narciso Ramos.
It is also where deceased celebrities like Rico Yan, Jun Aristorenas, Inday Badiday or Maria Lourdes Carvajal, Charito Solis, Rene Requiestas, and crime victims Ruby Rose Barrameda and Geraldine Palma are buried.
Parañaque Mayor Florencio Bernabe ordered the implementation of special traffic scheme from Sunday to Monday to accommodate visitors.
Under the scheme, public jeepneys from Lopez Ave. to Sucat Highway are advised to take the inner lane of Dr. Arcadio Santos Avenue (DASA, formerly Sucat Road), while all vehicles bound for Manila Memorial Park must take the middle and outer lanes.
Vehicles traveling to Sucat Highway and Loyola are advised to turn right to Lopez Ave.
Those coming from Sucat Highway going to Manila Memorial must take the inner and middle lanes.
Other vehicles and jeepneys going to Baclaran are advised to take the outer lane to President Avenue, then turn right to the corner of Aguirre St. until El Grande Avenue, and exit to Lopez Avenue.
Peña reminded visitors, especially those coming from Las Piñas, to avoid Teoville west gate as entrance point of the cemetery as it would be closed to traffic until next year. The Manila Memorial Park will operate 24 hours until Nov. 2, he said.
Bernabe has also directed city’s chief of police and head of local health department to mobilize their teams for the holiday. – Aurea Calica, Aie Balagtas See