CITY OF MALOLOS—Bulacan Governor Daniel R. Fernando has challenged national authorities to account for P41 billion in flood‑control funds, asking why the province remains underwater despite massive allocations.

“Where did the P41 billion budget go? Why is Bulacan still flooded?,” Fernando asked, urging the public and media to focus on real solutions rather than online distractions, and pressing for transparency and systemic reform.

“Iyan din ang tanong ko. Iyan ang tanong ng bawat Bulakenyong nabubuhay sa pangamba ng malawakang pagbaha sa tuwing sasapit ang ganitong panahon. Iyan ang tanong ng mga bayang nilalamon na ng high tide, ng mga magsasaka, mga manggagawang natanggal na sa trabaho sa dami ng absent, mga negosyante at mga komunidad na paulit-ulit na naaapektuhan ng palala nang palalang pagbaha sa Bulacan (That is my question too. It is the question of every Bulakenyo who lives in fear of widespread flooding whenever this season arrives. It is the question of towns swallowed by the high tide, of farmers, of workers who have lost their jobs because of repeated absences, of businessmen, and of communities that are continually battered by the worsening floods in Bulacan,” the governor insisted.

During a press conference held at The Pavilion in Hiyas ng Bulacan Convention Center on Tuesday, Aug. 25, Fernando called for immediate answers for flooded communities across the province.

He said public discussion should move beyond a viral clip of his recent interview and toward the more important question of where billions in flood‑control funds have gone.

Fernando clarified that his response stemmed from not having the exact data on hand during the brief interview, rather than a lack of awareness or concern about Bulacan’s flooding crisis.

“Ang pagsasabing ‘hindi ko alam’ sa isang tanong na nangangailangan ng eksaktong datos ay hindi nangangahulugang ‘wala akong alam o walang pakialam.’ Hindi rin ito patunay ng kapabayaan, pagiging iresponsableng pinuno, at lalong hindi ito maaaring gawing ebidensiya ng pagkakasangkot sa anumang anomaly (Saying ‘I don’t know’ in response to a question that requires exact data does not mean I know nothing or do not care. It is not proof of negligence, irresponsibility, and certainly not evidence of involvement in any anomaly),” he stressed.

The governor reiterated that the reported P41‑billion flood‑control projects are not under his or the Provincial Government of Bulacan’s direct control, but are instead funded, planned, contracted, and implemented by national government agencies.

Fernando reaffirmed his respect for the media’s role in accountability.

“Public officials must be accountable, but the media must be accountable, too,” Fernando said, emphasizing that the public needs journalism that does not simply seek a viral moment but strives to present the whole truth.