The Palace announced on Wednesday that toll fees at the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) are waived for all motorists, in response to traffic jams caused by floods.

“Alinsunod ito sa utos ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. na matulungan ang mga motorista at pasaherong naipit sa traffic sa NLEX dulot ng pagbaha sa Tulaoc Bridge sa San Simon, Pampanga,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said during a press briefing at the Malacañang.

In addition, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Giovanni “Banoy” Lopez declared that, starting today, motorists traveling from Pulilan, Bulacan to San Fernando, Pampanga do not have to pay toll fees until the situation at NLEX returns to normal, Castro said.

Lopez thanked toll operators who continue to waive the fee for provincial buses and vehicles transporting agricultural products under the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) initiatives.

Moreover, the DOTr and Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) have ordered NLEX Corp. to give out food and water to motorists, and set up portalets for their use.

In a letter to NLEX, the Transportation chief ordered that improvements be made to its warning system for motorists during downpours and flooding.

“Accordingly, as part of proactive measures moving forward, every time there is anticipated rainfall, TRB expects that NLEX Corporation will monitor the water level of the Pampanga River and Tulaoc River,” the TRB said.