Joselito Malig

Article (news)

Andrea Taguines

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Bulacan Gov. Daniel Fernando on Tuesday sought to explain his earlier statement that he was unaware of more than ₱40 billion worth of flood control projects allegedly implemented in the province from 2022 to 2025, after the remark drew criticism online.Fernando said he did not have the complete and exact figures with him when he was asked about the projects during a radio interview.He also admitted to feeling pressured during the interview.“Maaaring hindi pulido ang pagkakasagot ko, maaaring mas malinaw ko sana itong naipaliwanag, kaya lang sunod-sunod po yung mga tanong,” he said.“[Hindi] nangangahulugang wala akong alam o wala akong pakialam. Hindi rin ito patunay na kapabayaan, pagiging iresponsableng pinuno at lalong hindi ito maaaring gamiting ebidensya ng pagkakasangkot sa anumang anomalya,” added Fernando.Fernando claimed that the Bulacan provincial government had no involvement in the projects, which he said were funded, planned, contracted and implemented by national government agencies.“Walang massive flood control projects ang provincial government of Bulacan na katulad ng sa DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways). Ang nasabing P41 billion flood control projects sa Bulacan ay wala sa direktang kontrol ng gobernador,” he said.Fernando said the DPWH was supposed to coordinate with the provincial government on the projects, but insisted that this did not happen.“Nag-coordinate po sila sa amin dapat na may gagawin dito, na may gagawin doon. E bakit hindi po nag-coordinate? Kasi nga po multo,” he said, referring to the ghost projects discovered in the 1st district of Bulacan.According to the governor, he already issued an executive order last year, requiring DPWH district offices to seek the approval of local government units before implementing infrastructure projects.“Matagal ko nang panawagan na kailangan ng maayos na koordinasyon, transparency sa pagitan ng national government, mga implementing agencies, at mga lokal na pamahalaan. Paano magiging bahagi ng isang tunay na integrated flood control solution ang lalawigan kung kulang ang impormasyon tungkol sa mga proyektong ginagawa sa sarili nilang teritoryo?” he said.<div> </div><div>MANILA BAY COASTAL DEFENSE DIKE PROJECT</div>Meanwhile, DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon said the agency is already working with the Asian Development Bank on a feasibility study for the proposed Manila Bay Coastal Defense Dike Project, which Fernando has also been pushing for.The mega dike will span across Metro Manila, Bulacan, Pampanga and Bataan.“Kamukha yan ng ginagawa sa ibang bansa, tulad ng Netherlands. Tinanggap na ng ADB at gagawin na nila ang feasibility study,” said Dizon.

Bulacan Gov. Daniel Fernando on Tuesday sought to explain his earlier statement that he was unaware of more than ₱40 billion worth of flood control projects allegedly implemented in the province from 2022 to 2025, after the remark drew criticism online.

Bulacan Gov. Daniel Fernando on Tuesday sought to explain his earlier statement that he was unaware of more than ₱40 billion worth of flood control projects allegedly implemented in the province from 2022 to 2025, after the remark drew criticism online.

Bulacan governor explains remark on more than ₱40-B flood control projects

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Bulacan governor explains remark on more than ₱40-B flood control projects

Andrea Taguines,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 26, 2026 01:11 AM PHT

Read More:

Bulacan

Governor Daniel Fernando

flood control projects

DPWH

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