Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC), operator of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), is deploying temporary flood barriers, siphoning trucks and intensified pumping operations in Tulaoc, San Simon, Pampanga, as it sought understanding from motorists caught in hours-long traffic after days of heavy monsoon rains pushed floodwater onto the expressway.
MPTC said concrete barriers will be installed along about 300 meters of both the northbound and southbound carriageways to help block further inflow, while a counterflow will be opened for emergency and response equipment.
“We fully understand the frustration of motorists and commuters who spent hours on NLEX,” MPTC said. “To everyone who endured the ordeal, especially those travelling with children, elderly passengers or family members needing medical attention, we are deeply sorry for what you went through.”
The flooding is part of a wider emergency across Pampanga. Gov. Lilia Pineda said San Simon has been heavily flooded, while the Office of Civil Defense reported that about 95% of the town was submerged. Pineda also said that pumping out the floodwater has been difficult because water in the area has nowhere to drain and simply circulates.
NLEX said pumping alone cannot keep the roadway clear while floodwater continues to enter from surrounding areas. The company has issued round-the-clock advisories through its social media channels and 31 Variable Message Signs across NLEX, SCTEX and the NLEX Connector. Patrol and emergency crews remain deployed 24/7.
Traffic advisories issued Monday showed severe congestion at Tulaoc and the San Simon Interchange, with some lanes restricted as water levels rose. Alternative roads were also affected by flooding, limiting options for motorists.
For a longer-term fix, MPTC plans to further raise the northbound and southbound pavement in Tulaoc. The roadway there had previously been elevated by about 0.7 meter. Further raising can proceed once the Tulaoc Bridge is elevated to provide the required vertical clearance, subject to engineering assessment and works.
The Tulaoc section has long been identified as a flood-prone point. In 2023, the government and NLEX agreed on road- and bridge-raising measures after flooding caused hours-long traffic in San Simon.
“Lasting relief will require sustained coordination with the DPWH, the provincial government and local government units on drainage, waterways and land use beyond our right-of-way,” MPTC said. “We remain committed to immediate measures and longer-term solutions to strengthen NLEX against recurring flooding.”