NLEX Corporation, through the directive of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), is providing a toll rebate for motorists affected by the flooding along the San Fernando to Pulilan stretch in both northbound and southbound directions.
The toll rebate will be in effect until all lanes along the affected section in NLEX are completely cleared and passable to every vehicle class. NLEX said that the toll rebate will be credited directly to the motorist’s RFID account the day after the toll passage.
As a review, the flooding is concentrated around San Simon and the Tulaoc Bridge area, which are located directly between Pulilan and San Fernando.
NLEX Corp. said that the flood in San Simon and Tulaoc is due to a broader weather emergency across Pampanga. The continuous rains brought by the Habagat caused water levels in the Pampanga River to rise significantly, according to NLEX. The expressway operator added that the overflow of the river worsened the situation, which has prevented surrounding areas from discharging excess floodwaters that eventually led to the submerged sections on NLEX.
“We understand the difficulties experienced by motorists affected by the flooding in San Simon and Tulaoc, which is part of a wider emergency across Pampanga arising from the continuous Habagat rains resulting in elevated water levels at the Pampanga River. The latest flooding was aggravated by the overflow of the Pampanga River, which affected the area’s ability to discharge excess water,” NLEX Corp. said.
As part of efforts to mitigate the situation, NLEX shared that it has mobilized emergency, maintenance, traffic management, engineering, and customer service teams, along with pumping equipment and sandbags, to manage water accumulation. Teams remain on the ground to monitor conditions and implement necessary interventions.
The response efforts launched by NLEX are said to involve close coordination with several government agencies and local authorities. NLEX Corp. noted that it is working alongside the DOTr, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM), the Philippine Coast Guard, and local government units from Pampanga.
Last year, NLEX claimed that it had intensified its flood control efforts and mobilized a team to inspect flood control facilities in Valenzuela. These include water pumping stations, detention tanks, and pipelines. Moreover, NLEX also implemented drainage cleaning, removal of waste materials from creeks and rivers, and clearing of waterways connected to the expressways.
Autocar’s Take
The heavy rainfall brought by the Habagat last weekend resulted in flooding around San Simon and the Tulaoc Bridge area along NLEX. Motorists were stranded on the affected portion of the expressway, since vehicles could not drive through the flooded expressway. As such, the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) has also instructed NLEX Corp. to explain the flooding that occurred in San Simon and Tulaoc Bridge. NLEX did mention that the flooded portion of the expressway is due to the overflow of the Pampanga River. Of note, the TRB also directed NLEX Corp. to issue advisories three hours before expected rainfall so that motorists are more informed about what might be expected while driving through the expressway.
