Governor Daniel R. Fernando, Vice Gov. Alexis C. Castro, and members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan filed a Motion for Reconsideration before the Supreme Court regarding the rights to the national water resources coming from the Angat Dam on Thursday, April 11, 2024. (Freddie C. Velez)
The Provincial Government of Bulacan headed by Governor Daniel R. Fernando and Vice Gov. Alexis C. Castro, with the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, filed a motion for reconsideration (MR) before the Supreme Court on Thursday, April 11, on the province's rights to the national water resources coming from Angat Dam.
In a statement, Fernando said the filing of the MR was made following the decision by the High Court en banc dated October 3, 2023, that appropriated dam water is not to be considered national wealth, and therefore, not subject to the national wealth tax.
Fernando appealed to the Supreme Court in the MR in a bid to safeguard the welfare of Bulakenyos.
"Ang patuloy na pakikihamok na ito ay patungkol sa ating karapatan sa biyaya ng katubigan ng Bulacan. (This ongoing struggle is about our rights to waters of Bulacan). This pertains to our "equitable share in the exploitation, development and utilization of our natural resources" tulad ng itinatadhana ng Saligang Batas ng Republika ng Pilipinas (as provided for by the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines) and stated in the local government code of 1991 (Republic Act 7160)."
Ang tubig ay kinilala ng 1987 Constitution bilang likas na yaman ng bansa sa Article 12, Section 2 kung saan ay nakasaad:(The water was recognized by the 1987 Constitution as a natural resource of the country in Article 12, Section 2 which states: All lands in the public domain, waters, minerals, coals, petroleum and other mineral oils, all forces of potential energy, fisheries, forests or timber, wildlife, flora and fauna and other natural resources are owned by the state.
Related to Article 386 of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Local Government Code regarding the share of the proceeds from the development and utilization of the national wealth, "LGUs shall have an equitable share from the proceeds derived from the utilization and development of the national wealth within their respective areas, including sharing the same with the inhabitants by way of direct benefits."
Fernando said that from the mountains of Dona Remedios Trinidad up to the Freedom Cave of San Miguel, Bulacan to the rivers that flow freely in every town up to Manila Bay, it can't be denied that Bulacan "has been blessed by the grace of Mother Nature."
As Bulacan governor, Fernando said he has to ensure that Bulakenyos get their rightful share from the use of the water resource found therein.