Malacañang on Tuesday advised motorists to avoid the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) for now after scores were left stranded along sections of the expressway due to severe flooding.
At a briefing, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro dismissed proposals to temporarily suspend toll fees on NLEX, saying that doing so could result in heavier traffic.
‘Bakit ka pa papasok kung traffic na? Wag mo na gamitin muna. I mean, diba? For the meantime, huwag na muna kayong dumaan doon kung hindi naman din siya makakalusot,’ she said.
(Why would you still go there if there’s already heavy traffic? Don’t use it for now. I mean, right? In the meantime, avoid passing through there if you won’t be able to get through anyway.)
‘So anong purpose ng libre? Tanong ko lang. Magandang adhikain ‘yung libre, pero kung ililibre natin, mas maraming sasakyan na papasok. So pag mas maraming papasok na sasakyan mas lalong magkakaroon ng traffic, so dapat nga iwasan muna nila tong NLEX,’ the Palace official continued.
(So what’s the point of making it free? I’m just asking. It’s a good initiative to make it free, but if we make it free, more vehicles will enter. And the more vehicles that enter, the worse the traffic will get. So for now, they should.)
Castro said there was no order from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to sanction NLEX operator Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation, as the President was focused on finding ways to ease the traffic congestion.
The heavy traffic was caused by severe flooding in the Tulaoc and San Simon Interchange sections in Pampanga, triggered by the overflowing Pampanga River due to persistent monsoon rains.
As of 6:15 p.m. on September 1, heavy traffic was still reported in the northbound and southbound lanes of the Tulaoc (San Simon) and San Simon Interchange.
Despite the heavy traffic, the NLEX corporation said all types of vehicles could pass through Lane 1, while Class 2 and 3 vehicles could pass through Lane 2 of Tulaoc (San Simon).
On Monday, Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation said it understood the public’s frustration and apologized for what motorists-especially those traveling with children, elderly passengers, or individuals needing medical attention-had to go through.
Lane 1 of San Simon Interchange is passable by Class 2 and 3 vehicles, except for Class 1 vehicles. Meanwhile, the corporation said that the Libtong, Sta. Rita Northbound Entry, and Pulilan Northbound Entry are temporarily closed to all vehicles while approximately two-kilometer traffic buildup is observed at the Sta. Rita Northbound Exit.