Bus rider Robredo graces launch of modern Cubao terminal

Vice President Leni Robredo attends ribbon-cutting ceremony during the launch of Araneta Center Busport (ACBP). JULLIANE LOVE DE JESUS/INQUIRER.net

Vice President Leni Robredo on Tuesday graced the opening of the new terminal for buses bound for Visayas and Mindanao provinces in Cubao, Quezon City.

Known for taking a public bus to her hometown even after she was elected vice president, Robredo recalled during the launch how she witnessed the evolution of the bus hub at the Araneta Center.

“Siguro po ang pinakamasaya, isa sa pinakamasaya ngayong umaga, ako (I think I’m the happiest here this morning). Dahil I have seen the evolution of the bus terminal at the Araneta Center since 1982 when I entered college,” Robredo said in her brief speech.

Joining Robredo  in formally opening the bus port was Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte and Judy Araneta-Roxas, matriarch of the prominent political and business clan and mother of former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas.

The “world-class” Araneta Center Bus Port (ACBP) terminal will cater to commuters travelling to  the Bicol region, select provinces of Visayas and Mindanao and Southern Luzon.

It will serve as a stopover for air-conditioned buses from 19 bus companies. The terminal is equipped with walk-through detectors, baggage scanners and closed circuit television units. The facility imposes a strict no-ticket no-entry policy for the passenger lounge.

“Every one of you knows that I prefer riding buses and I know the difficulties that every, that every passenger goes through ‘pag naghihintay. Paminsan naghihintay kami doon sa pavement lang, nakaupo kami. Kasi wala nang upuan na hintayan (Sometimes we wait sitting on the pavement because there’s no more seat),” Robredo said.

“This will give a lot of comfort, this will make the bus-riding public safer and more comfortable as they wait and alight from their buses,” she added. JE/rga

NOW: Grand launch of new Araneta bus port in Cubao. VP @lenirobredo to grace the opening. @inquirerdotnet pic.twitter.com/nswsY3rhNZ

— Julliane de Jesus (@JLDejesusINQ) March 14, 2017

WATCH: VP @lenirobredo, who regularly takes bus to Naga, says: “I’ve seen evolution of Araneta bus terminal since 1982.” @inquirerdotnet pic.twitter.com/ObfJOtqjJR

— Julliane de Jesus (@JLDejesusINQ) March 14, 2017