00:00 Some parts of the North Luzon Expressway were hit by heavy traffic, not because of an accident but because of flooding.
00:08 The Toll Regulatory Board said that the pumping system failed to contain the amount of water that was flowing through the expressway.
00:16 This is the center of the news. Malacay Joshua Garcia, live.
00:19 Angelique, more than one hour of traffic is being added to the number of motorists passing through the North Luzon Expressway today.
00:30 The traffic is being added to the North and Southbound Lanes of the NLEX because of the heavy flooding that occurred under the Tulaok Bridge in San Simón, Pampanga.
00:39 Uniformed personnel of the NLEX will be seen on duty to guide motorists, particularly small vehicles that pass through the inner or overtaking lane because the water is low there.
00:49 While the movement of large vehicles in the outer lane is slowed down so that the water does not overflow and the vehicles sometimes have a weak connection.
00:57 According to Toll Regulatory Board or TRB spokesperson Julius Corpus, the pumping system is not enough for the amount of water that is flowing through the expressway.
01:09 Even if we put pumps in that area, the amount of water that flows through the Bukawe River, the San Simón area, is too much. That's why the pumps are not enough.
01:33 This is also clear, Angelica, because they are currently studying with the NLEX leadership on how to solve the problem of flooding in the NLEX, particularly in the San Simón-Pampanga area.
01:44 In the part of San Simón, when we constructed the NLEX, we increased it by a few meters because it was flooding. But maybe the time has changed and the release of water from our dams, which is needed, has slowed down the water in our expressway.
02:10 Corpus added, "In addition to the flood, one of the reasons for the slow movement of vehicles at this time is the number of motorists, especially this Monday, when most of them are going back to Metro Manila."
02:23 Angelica, I cannot say how long the flood will last under Tulaoc Bridge because it depends on the weather and the level of water in the dams and rivers. So, our advice to motorists who are passing through the NLEX today is to be patient.
02:37 When it comes to the part of San Simón where the flood is slowing down, we can avoid the movement of vehicles and when they reach their destination, they will go there. We can also add to the traffic update here in MacArthur Service Road, in front of Malolo City Hall, the roads are still passable.
03:00 So, our advice to motorists is to expect that there will be a slowdown or a reduction in the number of vehicles when they reach the areas where there is flood. And this is because the motorists are slowing down, so they can avoid being stopped in the areas.
03:17 Angelica. Okay, so Joshua, there is no restriction on the vehicles entering the NLEX. It's still business as usual. Is there no order from them that there is a situation in that area where their vehicles can be stopped because of the flood?
03:36 Angelica, as of now, there is no restriction on the NLEX. That's why the presence of uniformed personnel is still there to lead the NLEX and to guide the motorists where they are slowing down their vehicles so that the water won't enter their vehicles.
03:51 The NLEX also issued an official Facebook page and it shows that there are alternative routes that other motorists can pass. Angelica.
04:03 Okay. Thank you to Babalangian. Thank you very much Joshua Garcia.
