NLEX, MMDA join forces to solve flooding

MANILA, Philippines — The North Luzon Expressway and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) have joined forces and are working hand-in-hand to address the flood problem at NLEX, the country’s premier highway to the North.

In a statement released yesterday, the NLEX management said its personnel installed barriers, conducted sandbagging along the affected stretch of the highway and increased its flood pumping capacity by renting heavy-duty units in addition to its own equipment.

The NLEX said shoulder impounding and lining were conducted at San Simon town to hold and channel water away from the road.

As part of efforts to continuously address traffic management, diversion staging and motorist advisories were issued, aside from pre-positioning NLEX personnel at Meycauayan, Paso de Blas, San Fernando and Balintawak areas.

To further boost traffic management, NLEX holds contant coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Transportation, Toll Regulatory Board, Northern Luzon Command, Philippine Coast Guard and the local governments of Pampanga.

Dizon inspects works

Yesterday, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon together with NLEX president and general manager Luis Reñon inspected the rehabilitation works at the Tulaoc section in San Simon, Pampanga.

The NLEX reported that road conditions along the affected areas of the  expressway have improved with two lanes, both northbound and southbound, passable and almost back to normal. 

To help solve the problem, MMDA deployed equipment and personnel to work alongside NLEX crews during and after flooding.

“The deployment included mobile pumping units, L-type and modular flood barriers, dump trucks and field personnel. Equipment remains on the corridor,” the MMDA said.

Meanwhile, Bulacan provincial disaster risk reduction and management officer Manuel Lukban Jr. reported that 71 barangays in five localities remained flooded.

Lukban said the continued inundation was traced to backflooding, high tide, stagnant water and localized flooding.

Reserve 1/Lt. Jose Luis Barillo, Philippine Air Force reserve tactical operations chief, said a PAF contingent was able to distribute relief goods in Barangays Pugad and Tibaguin in Hagonoy town, after delivery efforts were stalled for a week.

Barillo said the relief distribution was done in partnership with Ayala Foundation, Delbros Group and the Army’s 71st Infantry Brigade.