By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Corp. are moving to implement immediate flood-control measures after severe flooding along the expressway stranded motorists and triggered massive traffic congestion in Central Luzon.
DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon met Wednesday with former Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson, officials of the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB), NLEX Corp., and Japanese engineering consultants Nippon Koei and CTI Engineering to discuss measures aimed at preventing floodwaters from inundating critical portions of the expressway.
Among the proposals is the installation of sheet piles along the Tulaoc River to keep river water from spilling onto the NLEX during periods of heavy rainfall.
The government is also considering the deployment of high-capacity pumps by the DPWH and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to quickly remove floodwaters that accumulate along the expressway.
Another measure under consideration is the deepening of the Tulaoc River to increase its capacity to receive and hold water discharged by the pumps, reducing the risk of overflow during high tide and prolonged heavy rains.
Dizon stressed the need for close coordination between government agencies and the private sector as more severe weather systems are expected in the coming weeks.
“Coordination between the private sector and the government is crucial here, as there are more typhoons expected in the coming weeks,” Dizon said during the meeting Wednesday afternoon.
“The situation cannot remain like this; it is unfair to the travelers commuting to and from Central and Northern Luzon,” he added.
The meeting followed President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to address the flooding problem and prevent a repeat of the extensive traffic disruption experienced over the weekend.
Heavy monsoon rains caused widespread flooding along the San Simon, Pampanga section of the NLEX, leaving motorists traveling to and from Northern Luzon stranded for several hours.
The proposed flood-control measures are intended to provide immediate relief while addressing the vulnerability of the expressway to flooding during periods of heavy and sustained rainfall.
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