THE North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Corporation and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) have partnered to tackle severe flooding along the country’s primary northern highway following heavy monsoon rains.
In a joint statement released on Sunday, September 6, 2026, NLEX officials confirmed that response teams installed protective barriers and deployed sandbags along affected sections ahead of the southwest monsoon (habagat).
These defenses were further reinforced after nearby rivers overflowed their banks.
To manage the unprecedented volume of water, NLEX expanded its flood-control measures by renting high-capacity, heavy-duty pumps to supplement its owned fleet.
Engineering crews also initiated shoulder impounding and lining operations in the San Simon and Tulaoc stretches in Pampanga to channel floodwaters away from active travel lanes.
Although the affected areas fall outside Metro Manila, the MMDA deployed mobile pumping units, L-type and modular flood barriers, dump trucks, and field personnel to Pampanga to work directly alongside NLEX crews.
The flooding initially began on August 29, 2026, and both organizations confirmed that their joint operations have been established as a standing arrangement until conditions fully normalize.
To maintain traffic flow and motorist safety, pre-positioned response crews and traffic diversion staging have been activated at key interchanges, including Balintawak, Meycauayan, Paso de Blas, and San Fernando.
NLEX field personnel continue to coordinate closely with the Department of Public Works and Highways, the Department of Transportation, the Toll Regulatory Board, the Philippine Coast Guard, the Northern Luzon Command, and local government units across Pampanga.
