Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernando said the vast flooding experienced by number of provinces including Bulacan after the onslaught of Typhoon Ulysses was rooted on climate change, which is caused by human activities, disregard to the environment and improper water management protocol of the dams.
“Itong mga pagbaha kaugnay ng bagyong Ulysses ay hindi po dahilan lamang sa nagpakawala ng tubig sa mga dam. Kapag ang dam water management protocol ay hindi isinagawa, higit na maraming buhay ang malalagay sa panganib,” said Fernando.
He also said mentioned the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) and National Irrigation Administration (NIA) which both said that releasing water from the dams is for the safety of our citizens.
The provincial chief executive believes that it is high time to have a thorough discussion on local climate change mitigation and adaptation.
“Habang may panahon pa, ako ay nananawagan sa lahat, kumilos tayo para pangalagaan ang ating likas yaman– ang kalupaan, kabundukan, at katubigan. Dapat pangunahan ng pamahalaan ang magkakaugnay na mga patakaran at panukala para mapanatili ang kalinisan ng kapaligiran, mabawasan ang walang patumanggang pagkakalat, malabanan ang polusyon, at magkaroon ng sapat na kahandaan sa mga kaugnay na suliranin ng pabago-bagong klima tulad ng biglaang mga unos, malalakas na ulan at mga pagbaha,” Fernando added.
He also called on his fellow public servants to take action rather than pointing fingers because the citizen’s welfare “should be the most important part of government service.”
“Sana ay huwag nating gamitin ang kalamidad para maka-iskor lamang sa pulitika. Sa halip na maghanap ng mapapagbuntunan ng sisi, bakit hindi natin pagtulung-tulungan kung ano ang solusyon sa ating mga problema,” Fernando said.As of 6 pm yesterday, there are 54 barangays in Bulacan including six in Paombong, four in Pulilan, one in Malolos, four in Baliwag, 29 in Calumpit, and 13 in Hagonoy that are still flooded due to the heavy rains brought by Typhoon Ulysses.