NLEX Corporation, together with the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Toll Regulatory Board (TRB), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the local government units (LGUs) of Valenzuela and Meycauayan, and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), continue to collaborate to address flood risks in specific areas of the expressway and the two LGUs.
Following an inter-agency coordination meeting initiated by DOTr Secretary Vince B. Dizon last August 2, NLEX Corporation presented 11 areas where waterway obstructions were found to have contributed to the flooding in Valenzuela, Meycauayan, and certain portions of the NLEX.
The joint cleanup and clearing operation of identified blocked waterways commenced last August 4 and is now in full swing. This collaborative effort aims to mitigate flooding by focusing on the blocked waterways that contributed to the recent flooding incidents.
Regular inspections are being conducted to check the status of the clearing operations and identify improvement areas to speed up the operation.
DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon, joined by NLEX OIC and MPTC CFO Luis Reñon, MPTC Chief Regulatory Officer Arrey Perez, Toll Regulatory Board Executive Director Jay Art Tugade, and Valenzuela City Mayor Wes Gatchalian, led the inspection in one of the identified critical areas in Valenzuela.
“This is an all-out effort by all stakeholders — NLEX, City of Valenzuela, DOTr, DPWH — all together because it can’t be done at the same time. We don’t know when it will rain heavily again. So we have to take advantage of the relatively good weather to clear it because it will be difficult if the flooding happens again,” Dizon said.
In support of the initiative, NLEX has deployed around 120 personnel daily, along with equipment such as an amphibious backhoe, backhoe on barge, boom trucks, dump trucks, and a genset, across all assigned locations to accelerate progress and improve water flow ahead of inclement weather conditions.
Aside from the clearing operations, NLEX Corporation` ramped up its multi-layered flood control defense to enhance protection against flooding along its expressway network. The tollway company remains committed in pursuing long-term solutions, working closely with government partners, that will benefit both its motorists and the surrounding communities.
NLEX Corporation is a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC), the toll road arm of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC).
