The Bulacan police and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) are deploying close to 400 personnel for today’s “Tamang Panahon” event of the noontime show “Eat Bulaga” at the 55,000-seat Philippine Arena, with the sold-out extravaganza reaching a scale rarely achieved in local show business.
Cris Saruca, head of the MMDA’s traffic unit, said that aside from sending 50 constables, the agency is posting 20 motorcycle-riding marshals and six towing crews at the complex in Bocaue, Bulacan province, as early as 4 a.m. They will join forces with around 300 Bulacan policemen and the security teams of the Arena and North Luzon Expressway.
He said the MMDA found no need to reroute traffic since the roads leading to the venue are wide enough. “Within Metro Manila, we don’t expect roads to be as affected. You know more or less how many are going to the Arena because there are tickets, unlike previous events [held there].”
Since parking is not allowed along NLEx, the MMDA earlier designated parking areas on adjacent roads like the Sta. Maria bypass, the Balagtas bypass on MacArthur Highway from Monumento to Calumpit, and a portion of Mindanao Avenue Extension.
Up to 10,000 vehicles can be accommodated inside Ciudad de Victoria complex, where the Arena is located.
Days before the show, local merchants have started setting up stalls on the roads leading to the Arena, hoping to cash in on “Eat Bulaga’s” “grand celebration” starring the popular comedic love team of Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza, aka “YayaDub.”
Some shops have been selling “AlDub” T-shirts featuring Richards and Mendoza, a native of Sta. Maria, Bulacan. Vending inside the Iglesia ni Cristo-owned Arena is prohibited but stalls outside the compound are being allowed.
Fans without tickets will be put on a waiting list or can watch the show on a giant screen at the neighboring Philippine Sports Stadium, which can seat 25,000, police said. Kristine Felisse Mangunay, and Carmela Reyes-Estrope, Inquirer Central Luzon