NLEX Corp. declares free toll from Pulilan to San Fernando

MANILA: Amid the massive delays caused by traffic and weather, the North Luzon Expressway Corporation is enacting free tolls for motorists coming from Pulilan, Bulacan, until San Fernando, Pampanga, and vice versa. 

The toll concessionaire stated that the aforementioned measure was deemed necessary due to the traffic situation on the expressway. This is due to flooding at the Tulaoc Bridge in San Simon, Pampanga. 

Additionally, other parts of NLEX are bogged down as well. As of 12:00 p.m. on September 2, 2026, Libtong Exit is temporarily closed to all traffic. The Northbound entries in Sta. Rita, Balagtas, and Pulilan, meanwhile, are all closed to Class 1 vehicles - this means passenger vehicles ranging from hatchbacks, sedans, sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks, and expressway-legal motorcycles. 

The third lanes of the NLEX stretch in Tulaoc and the San Simon Interchange are likewise not passable due to water build-up. In turn, the corporation stated that this has caused slow-moving traffic, with a 1.5-kilometer buildup. 

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Akbayan response

While the free-toll initiative on NLEX is good for motorists, the Akbayan party-list has issued strong statements regarding the situation on the highway. 

“Why is NLEX Corporation always caught off guard as if this is a new thing? NLEX should already know which portions of the expressway are vulnerable to flooding and have clear protocols in place before severe weather hits,” Akbayan President Rafaela David said. 

In addition, the current situation on the highway, according to Akbayan, is a result of “failures in flood preparedness, traffic control, and motorist safety.” 

On this note, the political group has called on the government to apply more stringent oversight over NLEX Corporation. It also called for answers on what went wrong. Particularly, Akbayan wants the corporation to explain why “vehicles were allowed to enter or remain in an already-bottlenecked area.” 

Also read:

NLEX proactively prepares for rainy season

NLEX Corp. conducts latest round of ‘See Clearly, Drive Safely’ program

NLEX to impose toll hike starting tomorrow

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