MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) is intensifying its deployment along flood-prone roads and expressways after severe flooding stranded motorists for hours and triggered massive traffic congestion in parts of Central Luzon.
PNP chief Gen. Melencio Nartatez Jr. ordered police units to strengthen road monitoring, maintain visible personnel in vulnerable areas and preposition police vehicles where they can respond quickly to emergencies.
The move comes as floodwaters continue to disrupt travel along the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) in San Simon, Pampanga, particularly around the Tulaoc area and San Simon Interchange.
According to the PNP, police presence should be increased in areas where motorists may need emergency assistance. Officers have also been instructed to help stranded drivers, keep emergency routes open and coordinate with local government units and expressway operators.
“Motorists are usually left on their own in dealing with flooded roads. We do not want that to happen,” Nartatez said.
NLEX flooding creates hours-long traffic
The San Simon flooding has become one of the most serious traffic disruptions in the area in recent days.
Flooding began affecting the San Simon portion of NLEX on Friday and worsened over the weekend as water levels rose. By Tuesday morning, traffic queues had stretched for more than seven kilometers northbound, reaching toward Candaba, while the southbound queue extended roughly five to six kilometers.
GMA News also reported that some motorists had been trapped in traffic for several hours, with some drivers saying they had been stuck since midnight.
The situation was aggravated by rising water levels in the Pampanga River, which affected several lanes around Tulaoc and the San Simon Interchange.
As of the latest NLEX traffic advisories, some lanes remained passable to certain vehicle classes, but motorists were warned of heavy traffic and water buildup. Some northbound entries, including Sta. Rita and Pulilan, were also temporarily closed because of flooding.
Police told to prepare before emergencies happen
The PNP’s latest directive goes beyond responding after motorists become stranded.
Police commanders have been instructed to factor flood-prone roads into their regular ground monitoring and deployment plans, allowing personnel and vehicles to be positioned ahead of potential emergencies.
The objective is to shorten response times, assist motorists and ensure that ambulances, rescue teams and other emergency vehicles can move through affected areas.
The PNP is also urging police units to coordinate closely with LGUs and expressway operators so that traffic management, rescue and public-safety measures can be carried out as one coordinated response.
The development was also reported by ABS-CBN News, which said the PNP ordered police presence along flooded roads and vulnerable bridges as heavy rains continued to affect parts of the country.
NLEX operator deploys flood-control measures
The police response comes as NLEX operator Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) implements additional measures to address the flooding.
MPTC said it would install temporary 300-meter concrete flood barriers on both sides of the affected NLEX section, deploy siphoning trucks and intensify pumping operations once conditions allow. It also plans to establish a counterflow route for emergency and response equipment.
The company has apologized to motorists affected by the prolonged congestion and said its patrol and emergency teams remain deployed around the clock.
Authorities are also looking at longer-term engineering solutions because the San Simon area has experienced significant flooding, with officials acknowledging that a permanent fix may require more than simply pumping water from the expressway.
Motorists urged to avoid unnecessary travel
With flooding and traffic conditions still changing, the PNP is advising motorists to avoid unnecessary trips through affected areas.
Those who need to travel are urged to check official traffic advisories before leaving, exercise extreme caution and follow instructions from police officers, NLEX personnel and other authorities on the ground.
For motorists already caught in flood-related traffic, authorities are urging patience and cooperation, particularly to ensure that emergency vehicles can pass.
The immediate priority is keeping motorists safe. But with water levels still affecting portions of NLEX and other roads in Central Luzon, the bigger question now is how quickly authorities can restore normal traffic—and whether the flooding will ease before another wave of motorists becomes trapped.
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