An investigation by NLEX Corporation found that the severe flooding in San Simon, Pampanga, was not caused by the southwest monsoon, or Habagat, alone, with breached dikes along the Pampanga River also contributing to the rise in floodwaters.
NLEX Corporation President Luis Reñon made the statement Thursday as he apologized to motorists affected by heavy traffic along the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) following the flooding in San Simon.
“Unang-una po sa lahat ay humihingi kami ng paumanhin sa ating mga motorista na nagkaroon ng pagbagal dito sa trapiko,” Reñon said.
“Ginagawa po namin ang dapat naming gawin upang maibsan ang pagdurusa ng ating mga kababayan dulot ng habagat na ito,” he added.
Reñon said NLEX’s investigation showed that the flooding in the Tulaoc River area was not solely due to the Habagat.
“Base po sa aming investigasyon, hindi lang po dahil sa Habagat nagmula ang pagbaha dito sa Tulaoc River,” Reñon said.
He said the company also found that some dikes along the Pampanga River had been breached, which contributed to the massive flooding in the area.
“May nakita rin po kami na nabasag na mga dike dito sa Pampanga River na also nag-cause ng baha, ng malaking pagbaha,” he said.
According to Reñon, NLEX had already prepared for possible flooding before the onset of the Habagat.
“Two weeks ago po, before the Habagat, naka-ready po kaming lahat dito,” he said.
He noted that there was no flooding in the Tulaoc River area even when other parts of Pampanga were already inundated.
“Wala po kaming baha dito sa Tulaoc River kahit na po baha na ang buong Pampanga,” Reñon said.
However, water levels later rose unexpectedly and washed away some of the sandbags that NLEX had installed as part of its flood-control preparations.
To help address the flooding, Reñon said NLEX will begin dredging the Tulaoc River Thursday night using floating backhoes.
“Ngayon na po kami ng floating backhoe na magumpisa mamayang gabi para po i-dredge ang Tulaoc River,” he said.
He also thanked the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Department of Transportation (DOTr), and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) for assisting in the emergency response.
“Nagtulong-tulong po kami para maibsan ang baha dito sa Tulaoc River,” Reñon said.
NLEX deploys additional flood-mitigation measures
Meanwhile, NLEX operator Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) installed L-shaped concrete barriers along portions of the expressway to temporarily prevent floodwaters from entering the road.
The MMDA also began pumping out floodwater in the San Simon portion of NLEX to speed up the clearing of the affected roadway and help restore smoother traffic flow.
A second batch of PCG personnel was deployed to assist in emergency flood-mitigation and disaster-response operations.
MPTC also distributed food and drinking water to motorists stranded by the flooding and resulting traffic congestion.
The Palace, meanwhile, announced Wednesday that toll fees at NLEX would be waived for all motorists in response to the severe traffic congestion caused by the flooding.
TRB orders NLEX to explain traffic situation
The developments came after the DOTr, through the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB), ordered NLEX Corp. to strengthen its flood-warning system and explain the severe traffic congestion caused by flooding in San Simon, particularly near the Tulaoc Bridge.
The TRB issued a Notice to Explain to NLEX Corp. following several days of heavy traffic linked to flooding in the area.
In an earlier interview with DZRH, NLEX Corp. Assistant Vice President for Traffic Operations Robin Ignacio said flooding in San Simon caused slow-moving traffic stretching up to seven kilometers in both directions on Monday morning.
