An automative publication’s post reminding motorists passing the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) about traffic essentials went viral among Filipinos.
VISOR posted a picture on its Facebook page on Thursday, March 20 featuring wet wipes, an alcohol bottle, trash bags, and a male portable urinal.
“Reminder sa mga dadaan sa NLEX,” it said on its caption.
The post was accompanied by a link to an article titled, “In times of bloodcurdling traffic, these essentials are a must in the car.”
It lists suggested items that drivers must have in their vehicles in case they get trapped in gridlock for hours and without any option to relieve themselves in a nearby comfort room.
These include a towel, garbage bag, wet wipes, alcohol, and a portable urinal.
The post earned several reactions from Filipinos who wrote the following:
“Water at pagkain, you’ll never know kung kelan at ilang oras ka ma-stuck sa traffic at sa NLEX. Been there, kasama ko erpats ko, na-stuck [kami] ng [seven hours] nung Bagyong Carina Days. Hello sa mga kapwa ko na-stuck nung Carina Days,” a Facebook user said.
“Mabuti ‘di tumapat sa holiday rush. Bring foods and water,” another user wrote.
“Dapat may tsitsirya din,” commented a different Pinoy.
“Kailangan pala full tank ka dyarn,” said another user, referring to the vehicle’s fuel tank.
Bridge repair
On Tuesday, March 18, an 18-wheeler truck struck the Marilao Interchange Bridge in NLEX after exceeding the vertical clearance of the structure of 4.27 meters.
The truck had a height of 4.9 meters.
The impact also caused two girders of the bridge to loosen, which was then struck by another truck.
The NLEX Corp. said the bridge repair could take two weeks.
“During this time, motorists should expect heavy traffic in the area as we work diligently to complete the repairs, prioritizing the safety of all drivers,” it said in a statement on Thursday.
“The middle lanes in the northbound direction (lanes 2 and 3) will remain temporarily closed. When feasible, a zipper lane will be opened in the southbound direction to help alleviate congestion,” NLEX Corp. added.
“To manage traffic more effectively, intensified traffic management measures will be implemented during this period. We have also posted alternative routes on our social media pages to provide motorists with additional options. NLEX is committed to expediting repairs and restoring normal traffic flow as quickly as possible,” it continued.
NLEX is a controlled-access highway that connects Metro Manila to the provinces of Central Luzon.
The expressway begins in Quezon City and ends in Malabacat City in Pampanga.
