SAN SIMON, Pampanga — Despite the easing of the southwest monsoon, a stretch of MacArthur Highway in Barangay Sta. Monica here remains impassable for light vehicles as of Aug. 21.
Motorists are having difficulty crossing the dark and knee-deep floodwaters. As a result, some riders are paying to have their motorcycles carried across the flooded area on a kuliglig.
Others are turning off their engines and carefully pushing their motorcycles through the water to avoid damage.
The Pampanga Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office is also providing free rides for motorists who have no alternative route and need to pass through the affected area in San Simon.
Motorist Arturo Dela Cruz, who was supposed to head home to Bulacan, decided to turn back and take NLEX after seeing the high floodwaters.
He said the situation is a burden for motorists, particularly those with work to attend to, and expressed hope that the government would implement effective flood control programs.
Meanwhile, residents said the affected stretch of road, which is about 150 meters long, usually remains flooded for about three weeks.
