NLEX Corporation is significantly enhancing its multi-layered flood control defenses across its expressway network following recent unprecedented rainfall and the overflow of La Mesa Dam, which led to flooding in areas including NLEX Balintawak Cloverleaf, Valenzuela, and Meycauayan. These intensified efforts underscore NLEX’s unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety and mobility of motorists, even under challenging weather conditions.
Before these recent events, NLEX Corporation had already implemented robust proactive risk-mitigation measures. These include the consistent cleaning of drainage systems and culverts, thorough roadside clearing, continuous monitoring of river water levels, regular bridge inspections, and necessary mitigation works. The company also ensures the readiness and availability of water trucks and dewatering equipment and actively organizes inter-agency flood mitigation forums to bolster the preparedness of host and neighboring communities in maintaining clear waterways.
Despite these extensive preparations, the sheer volume of rainfall from the intensified Southwest Monsoon (Habagat), compounded by the La Mesa Dam overflow, presented an extraordinary challenge, resulting in localized flooding.
In immediate response, NLEX Corporation has swiftly mobilized comprehensive measures. This includes the rapid removal of accumulated garbage from overflowing rivers and creeks, urgent clearing of drainage systems, and inspections of rivers and creeks serving as outfalls for expressway pumping stations to ensure optimal water flow. Additionally, road patching works are currently underway to address immediate safety concerns, with permanent pavement repairs scheduled once weather conditions become favorable.
To further bolster these efforts, vacuum trucks have been strategically deployed for canal declogging and are on standby in key locations such as Balintawak, Paso de Blas, and Tulaoc, aimed at reducing water accumulation efficiently. NLEX is also meticulously monitoring river water levels and conducting structural inspections of bridges, notably the Pasig-Potrero Bridge, to ensure infrastructure integrity amidst rising water levels.
“We are implementing immediate measures in response to the recent flooding to ensure the safety of our motorists and to help reduce the risk of similar incidents in the future,” stated Luis S. Reñon, NLEX Corporation Officer-In-Charge and Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation Chief Finance Officer. “We are also working with relevant authorities to explore possible long-term solutions, including our offer to upgrade bridges, adopt and rehabilitate rivers and creeks that traverse NLEX. These initiatives are part of our continued commitment to providing safe and passable expressways, especially during severe weather conditions.”
Mr. Reñon further emphasized the importance of collaboration: “This is the time when we need to bring out all the help and solutions we can. We’ve tapped our sister companies in the MVP group, such as Maynilad and Meralco, for assistance with vacuum trucks and rescue boats, and we’re truly grateful for their support. Working together is key to strengthening our flood defense and ensuring everyone’s safety.”
As part of its community support, rescue boats have been made available to deliver relief assistance to nearby communities and serve as an alternative means of transportation for stranded individuals, if necessary.
NLEX Corporation reminds the public that its social media pages are active 24/7 for real-time traffic advisories and announcements. Motorists may also reach customer service through hotline 1-35000 or via Facebook and X (@NLEXexpressways), for any assistance they may need.
NLEX Corporation is a subsidiary of the Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC), the toll road arm of the Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC).
