MALOLOS CITY – Bulacan Governor Wilhelmino Alvarado vowed to hold someone responsible for the massive flooding in the province.
However, he is still not sure when to file the planned class suit against the National Power Corporation (Napocor) which manages the Angat Dam.
In a live interview with Central Luzon Television 36 (CLTV 36) on Thursday night, Alvarado answered comments from viewers who want the governor to drop the planned class suit against Napocor.
Alvarado insisted that someone has to be accountable noting that after the 1978 flood in Bulacan, Napocor paid damages to the province.
“Dapat may papanagutin, hindi pwede na lahat ng paggawa ng di maganda ay palalampasin,” he said.
However, he said that they are not sure when to file the class suit as their lawyers are still gathering more evidences.
The governor also said that his wife, Rep. Marivic Alvarado of the first congressional district of the province, filed a bill in Congress to define dam operators’ responsibilities and obligations.
“One good thing about that bill is the penal clause, para may managot,” the governor said.
He also expressed disappointment against a high ranking government official for mocking the misery of Bulakenyos when the towns of Paombong, Hagonoy and Calumpit are under at least four feet of flood waters.
“Nagtatawa pa eh, lubog na ang mga bayan ng Hagonoy, Calumpit at Paombong. That’s totally uncalled for,” he said without identifying the official.
The same was echoed by Vice Governor Daniel Fernando who said,” ang sabi ay galing daw sa langit yung kalamidad, tapos tumawa pa.”
Sources from the provincial capitol identified the official that irked the governor as Science and Technology Undersecretary Graciano Yumul, the administrator of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).
When asked if Bulacan will back out from the planned class suit against Napocor, Alvarado said that they will continue the filing. He stressed that they will demand for accountability.
He also said that they are now watching the move of Malacañang and if the national government will offer public apology.
This came after Malacañang called Alvarado for a meeting on Tuesday which many Bulakenyos think it was an attempt to pacify the governor.
In 1978, a massive flood submerged Bulacan and killed hundreds of people as Napocor employees made a mistake in opening the floodgates of Angat Dam.
A class suit was filed and the Napocor later paid in damages.
The planned class suit was disclosed by Alvarado in his weekly radio program over Radio DWss last Saturday, October 8.
