Bulacan Governor Daniel R. Fernando clarified his viral response to a recent interview regarding more than ₱41 billion in flood-control projects in Bulacan, saying the public should focus on where the funds went and why flooding remains a problem in the province.
During his August 20 phone interview with broadcaster Ted Failon, Fernando was asked about the reported allocation for flood-control projects. His response, “I don’t know. I have no knowledge about it,” drew widespread attention and criticism on social media.
Fernando explained that he did not have the complete and exact data available at the time to provide a responsible answer. He stressed that saying he did not know the figures did not mean he was unaware of or indifferent to Bulacan’s flooding problem.
“SAAN NAPUNTA ANG ₱41 BILYON? BAKIT LUBOG PA RIN SA BAHA ANG BULACAN?” Fernando said, pointing to what he described as the more important questions surrounding the flood-control projects.
The governor clarified that the reported ₱41 billion in flood-control projects is not under the direct control of the Provincial Government of Bulacan, but is funded, planned, contracted, and implemented by national government agencies. He said the provincial government has pursued measures to strengthen coordination, monitoring, and validation of national infrastructure projects in the province.
Fernando also reiterated his call for a comprehensive approach to the province’s flooding problem, saying, “The need of Bulacan is an integrated, science-based and long-term flood-control solution.”
Amid the controversy, Fernando urged the public to assess his leadership based on his work and decisions rather than a viral clip. “HUWAG NAMAN NINYO AKONG HUSGAHAN SA PARAAN LAMANG NG PAGSASALITA. HUSGAHAN NINYO AKO SA AKING TRABAHO, SA AKING MGA DESISYON, SA AKING PANININDIGAN, AT SA AKING PAGLILINGKOD SA MAMAMAYANG BULAKENYO,” he said.