Joel Villanueva: NLEx should refund toll fees for stranded motorists

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Joel Villanueva on Tuesday urged the management of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) to consider waiving or refunding toll fees paid by motorists who were stranded for hours amid severe flooding along NLEx in San Simon, Pampanga.

In his privilege speech before the Senate, Villanueva also called for a clear, funded and permanent solution to the recurring flooding that has repeatedly disrupted traffic along the major expressway.

“Naniniwala rin tayo na dapat ikonsidera ng NLEx management ang pag-waive o pag-refund ng toll fees para sa mga motoristang matinding naapektuhan ng prolonged closure,” Villanueva said.

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READ: NLEX operator sorry for heavy traffic, vows for concrete flood barriers

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(We also believe that the NLEx management should consider waiving or refunding toll fees for motorists severely affected by the prolonged closure.)

“Nagbayad ka na ng toll, naipit ka pa sa baha. Hindi po iyon ang serbisyong binayaran ng ating mga kababayan,” he added.

(You already paid the toll, only to get stuck in the flood. That is not the service our fellow Filipinos paid for.)

READ: Netizens share woes, tips after hours-long traffic jam along NLEX

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Villanueva made the statement amid reports that traffic along the affected portion of NLEX stretched as far as 10 kilometers, with some motorists reportedly spending up to 22 hours on the road.

He also asked NLEx whether immediate assistance had been provided to stranded motorists.

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“May tubig, pagkain, portalets, at medical assistance po ba para sa mga nangangailangan?” he said.

(Were there water, food, portalets, and medical assistance to those affected?)

Villanueva stressed that the situation should not be treated as a simple inconvenience, given the prolonged period motorists were trapped on the expressway.

“Usapin po ito ng kaligtasan at kapakanan ng tao,” he said.

(This is a matter of safety and welfare of the people,)

The Inquirer sought a comment from NLEx on the matter but has yet to receive a response as of posting time.

Meanwhile, the Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation, operator of NLEx, has previously expressed its apologies to motorists who have been stranded in some sections of the expressway, which were rendered impassable because of severe flooding.

Recurring problem

Villanueva noted that the flooding in San Simon was not a new problem.

He recalled that following a similar flooding incident in 2023, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and NLEx identified the construction of the Tulaoc Overpass and the raising of portions of the expressway as a medium-term solution.

Since then, NLEx has raised a 0.7-meter section of a 200-meter stretch in the Tulaoc area, the senator noted.

But Villanueva said it was clear that simply raising the road was not enough to address the recurring flooding.

He also acknowledged that there were limitations to raising the expressway further because of existing bridges and required vehicle clearances.

While pumping equipment is being used to remove floodwaters, Villanueva said this should only be considered an emergency response, rather than a permanent solution.

‘Critical economic lifeline’

Villanueva described NLEx as a “critical economic lifeline,” noting that the expressway handled an average of more than 350,000 vehicle entries every day in 2024, according to NLEx Corporation.

“Kapag naparalisa ang NLEx, apektado ang trabaho, negosyo, supply chain, at oras ng ating mga kababayan,” Villanueva said.

(When NLEx is paralyzed, jobs, businesses, the supply chain, and the time of our fellow Filipinos are affected.)

He also raised concerns over the rerouting of motorists to the Central Luzon Link Expressway (CLLEx) and the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx). Villanueva said there were insufficient signs, traffic personnel, lighting, and clear directions to guide motorists through alternative routes.

He also noted that navigation apps may not immediately reflect road closures, potentially leaving motorists unaware of the flood.

“Sa emergency, information is also a form of assistance. Hindi dapat makarating muna ang motorista sa baha bago niya malaman na hindi pala siya makakadaan dito,” he said.

(In an emergency, information is also a form of assistance. Motorists should not have to reach the flooded area before finding out that they cannot pass through)

Beyond emergency measures, however, Villanueva said authorities should pursue a “clear, funded, time-bound, and permanent solution” to the recurring flooding in San Simon.

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“Our people deserve an expressway that is not only fast when the weather is good, but safe, reliable, and resilient when they need it most,” Villanueva said. /mr