Nearly a year after Tindig Bulacan, sectoral groups march again vs corruption, reclamation

Protesters hold banners calling for accountability over corruption and the protection of the environment in front of the Bulacan Provincial Capitol.

Protesters demand action a year after a flood corruption scandal put a spotlight on Bulacan

AT A GLANCE

• Bulakenyos protested in Malolos on August 31, demanding accountability for corruption and environmental issues related to flooding
• The recent floods affected over 960,000 residents and caused significant agricultural damage

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BULACAN, Philippines — Following five weeks of heavy rains, Bulakenyos took to the streets once more on Monday, August 31, demanding accountability and immediate action amid the worsening flooding here.

At the KILOS BULACAN! indignation rally in Malolos, two groups of protesters from student, agricultural, labor, and church organizations marched from the Malolos Crossing and Malolos Digital Amphitheatre before converging at the Bulacan Provincial Capitol Freedom Park. They called for an end to corruption, environmental destruction, and reclamation projects, particularly the New Manila International Airport (NMIA) project in Bulakan.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office reported that 960,821 residents were directly affected by the recent floods, while damage to agriculture, fisheries, livestock, and poultry reached more than P130 million.

Bulacan has been one of the provinces dragged into the flood corruption scandal that blew up last year, with district engineers based in the province eventually getting charged in court for graft and corruption. The Commission on Audit uncovered various ghost and substandard flood control projects here.

A former district engineer had testified that at least 50 ghost flood projects were marked for the province’s first district alone.

From 2021 to 2024, Bulacan was awarded a total of P43.5 billion worth of flood control contracts. Governor Daniel Fernando’s now-viral claim that he had no knowledge of the projects came with an explanation during an August 26 press conference: the funds and projects were handled directly by the national government and agencies.

Fernando’s statement drew criticism among Bulakenyos.

“Hindi rin puwedeng ‘yung gobernador, walang alam. ‘Yung congressman, walang alam. So lahat sila dapat managot kasi kung wala silang alam, dapat magsipag-resign na sila sa puwesto nila. Kasi hindi naman nila pera ‘yan,” said David D’Angelo, environmental advocate and interim spokesperson of KILOS BULACAN! (How can it be that the governor was not aware of this? Even the congressman claims lack of knowledge of these projects. If none of them were aware, then they should just resign.)

The group will also hold consultations with sectors across Bulacan as it continues its campaign, D’Angelo said. “Hindi naman po ito dito matatapos kasi lahat ng organisasyon hihilingan natin na magsama-sama,” he added. The group plans to discuss reclamation, including the NMIA project, as well as nature-based solutions and other approaches to flood mitigation.

He said they have requested documents from the office of Vice Governor Alex Castro, including Bulacan’s comprehensive flood mitigation plan. The group plans to study the documents as it considers filing cases against those it holds accountable for environmental destruction. “‘Yung mga dokumento rin na ‘yon ay pag-aaralan natin para magsampa po tayo ng kaso sa mga dapat sampahan, lalong lalo na sa kalaban ng kalikasan at sa salot ng kalikasan na si P.I. Ramon Ang,” D’Angelo said.

Monday’s rally came nearly a year after the Tindig Bulacan movement began, which sparked a series of mobilizations across towns in the province calling for accountability over flood control projects and the use of public funds. – Rappler.com

Mark David Silencio is an Information Technology student at Bulacan State University in Plaridel, Bulacan. An Aries Rufo Journalism Fellow for 2026, he is also the managing editor for Administration of Pacesetter.