MANILA, Philippines — Motorists traveling through parts of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) faced another difficult start to the week as flooding triggered heavy traffic, road restrictions, and the temporary closure of the Libtong Exit in Meycauayan, Bulacan on Monday, August 31.
The situation highlights how days of relentless rain have continued to disrupt one of Luzon’s most important transport corridors, with flooding affecting not only Bulacan but also sections of Pampanga.
According to NLEX Corporation’s traffic advisory cited by INQUIRER.net, traffic was heavy along the Candaba Viaduct, Tulaoc in San Simon, Pampanga, and parts of the San Simon Interchange, as continuous rainfall and flooding on nearby local roads affected traffic flow. The Libtong Exit northbound was temporarily closed to vehicles due to flooding.
The heavy rains were linked to the southwest monsoon, or Habagat, which has been enhanced by Tropical Depression Pilandok. PAGASA had earlier warned that several provinces in Luzon could experience heavy rainfall as the weather system continued to influence the monsoon.
Motorists Stranded for Hours
The traffic disruption has been more than a simple morning slowdown.
A report by GMA News said some motorists in the San Simon area were stranded for hours, with others reporting delays of up to six hours while trying to get through flooded sections of the expressway. An NLEX traffic official explained that rising floodwaters outside the expressway eventually affected portions of the toll road, with conditions worsening over the weekend.
Earlier reports also showed that flooding had already caused major problems in Meycauayan, where water buildup affected several lanes and slowed traffic to a crawl. Some sections became temporarily impassable as floodwaters rose in and around the area.
San Simon Remains a Major Chokepoint
As of the latest advisories Monday morning, flooding and water buildup continued to affect traffic around San Simon and Tulaoc, with some lanes restricted or closed.
Motorists approaching the affected northbound and southbound sections were advised to use the San Simon Exit and re-enter through the San Simon Entry to avoid flooded portions of the expressway. NLEX Corporation also deployed patrol officers to assist motorists and manage traffic in affected areas.
At Tulaoc, traffic advisories earlier indicated that water buildup had affected multiple lanes, contributing to heavy congestion and forcing authorities to regulate vehicle movement through the area.
Flooding Spreads Beyond the Expressway
The problem is not limited to NLEX.
Bulacan disaster officials reported that heavy rains had flooded parts of major roads, including sections of the NLEX and MacArthur Highway, leaving some routes difficult or impossible for certain vehicles to pass. In Meycauayan, floodwaters had previously made portions of the northbound and southbound expressway lanes impassable.
For thousands of commuters, delivery drivers, and motorists who rely on NLEX every day, the flooding has created a ripple effect—turning normally fast trips into hours-long journeys and pushing traffic onto already congested alternative roads.
What Motorists Should Do
Motorists heading north or south are urged to check the latest NLEX traffic advisories before traveling, allow extra travel time, and avoid driving through flooded roads when conditions are unsafe.
With rain and flooding continuing to affect parts of Central Luzon, road conditions can change quickly. What may be passable in the morning could become heavily congested—or temporarily closed—within hours.
For now, one thing is clear: the journey through parts of NLEX remains far from normal, and motorists are being urged to stay alert as floodwaters and traffic conditions continue to evolve.
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