San Miguel Corp. president Ramon Ang has pointed to leftover debris from the 2024 repair of the NLEx Tulaoc Bridge as a possible contributor to the flooding that recently slowed motorists along the expressway in San Simon, Pampanga.
Ang said soil and other materials allegedly left from the bridge repair obstructed waterways that carry water coming from Pantabangan Dam, worsening the buildup of floodwater in the area. The flooding triggered heavy traffic along the NLEx, with some motorists reportedly stuck for up to eight hours.
The issue now places the spotlight not only on heavy rains, but on drainage, maintenance, and whether infrastructure work around major roads is being properly cleared after repairs. In flood-prone areas, even leftover soil or blocked channels can quickly turn into a wider traffic and public safety problem when water has nowhere to pass.
Ang also offered to help address the situation, signaling that private sector coordination may be needed to clear obstructions and prevent repeat flooding along the critical expressway stretch.
NLEx operator MPTC said it is working with government agencies on flood-control measures. The company also said it plans to raise both the northbound and southbound road sections in Tulaoc after the bridge elevation project is completed.
For motorists, the incident is another reminder that flooding on major roads is rarely just about rain. It is also about maintenance, engineering, and whether every part of the drainage system is kept open before the next downpour arrives.
Image from Carmela Reyes-Estrope