Pilar Bernabé: "Mazón needs to leave and stop holding the Generalitat hostage to save himself."
The Government Delegate in the Valencian Community, Pilar Bernabé (Valencia, 1979), meets with La Vanguardia during a small break in her schedule. During the long workday, she acts as the delegate and shield of the central government, and in the late afternoon, she goes into party mode and visits the various groups to present her project for the future mayor of Valencia. A key player in the management of the DANA, Bernabé reviews what happened that day and the almost seven months that have passed since that fateful October 29th.
How do you rate the Generalitat Valenciana's management of the dana?
October 29th will always be marked in the history of our Community as the most terrible day we Valencians have ever experienced. It is the most terrible catastrophe, but it has also been the most terrible administration. We have had terrible administrations throughout our history, usually with the same acronyms, but this will undoubtedly be the one that will leave the Valencians with the greatest sadness and pain, due to the lack of protection they have felt. There was no anticipation, no prevention, just a lack of understanding.
October 29th is the most terrible catastrophe, but it has also been the most terrible management that the Valencian Community has ever had.
And the Government's management of this crisis?
I am the Government Delegate, and when the red alert was declared, I canceled my schedule and gathered all the government agencies involved in the emergency so they were prepared, so we could assess how the night had gone, which had already been complicated. We were available to the Generalitat (Catalan Government) who has jurisdiction over emergencies, not from the very beginning, but from the minute to 100. On the 29th, at 12:20 a.m., I called the regional minister to offer her the Military Emergency Unit and any other matters the government could help with. I have experienced other emergencies, and in those instances, I always received a call from the regional emergency secretary on duty warning me of the situation and urging us to be alert in case things got complicated. This time, that never happened. I had to make the call. I repeat, the government was there, it was prepared, and it did.
And the mobilization carried out by the Executive during the first days of the crisis was unprecedented: 30,000 soldiers and 10,000 State Security Forces.
Pilar Bernabé at the delegation headquarters.
Miguel LorenzoShould a national emergency have been declared?
The administration closest to the territory is the one with jurisdiction over matters such as public health, emergencies, and civil protection. All of these matters report directly to the Generalitat Valenciana. Raising the emergency to Level 3, as we saw with the blackout, undoubtedly had to be a matter of request from the autonomous communities, if they felt overwhelmed or needed to make that decision. But in any case, what was essential was for both administrations to concur. And the Generalitat Valenciana never put this on the table.
Read also Emergencies considered sending the alert 90 minutes before it became effective. Enrique Bolland
This Thursday, a technician stated that the alert was already on the table at 6:36 PM. Why do you think the ES Alert arrived late and inaccurately, as the judge claims?
The main problem with this entire catastrophe is that the Cecopi meeting was convened late. It was very late at 5:00 p.m. From the moment it begins, there's a period of time during which all the agencies and technicians involved must provide information to the decision-maker, in this case the regional minister and the emergency management, so that they know what's happening and can act. After those initial discussions, at 6:00 p.m., they cut us off and told us they would think about what to do. I can't tell you what happened during that hour; I wasn't there. We were told about the alert at 7:10 or 7:07 p.m., which is when we were connected again, by which time I'd already seen that the Picanya Bridge had collapsed and had spoken with the mayor of Paiporta.
In your statement to the judge, you say that the president of the Júcar Hydrographic Confederation (CHJ) never warned you about the Magro River flooding, that you learned about it through the media, and that the CECOPI doesn't mention the Poyo ravine. How is this possible?
I learned about the Magro River flooding in Utiel because I was speaking with mayors this morning. I spoke with more than 40 mayors on October 29th. Mazón submitted a list of 13 calls. I have 240.
The Confederation could not inform me that the Magro River had overflowed in Utiel because there is no sensor.
But at least from the outside it looks like...
The Confederation couldn't inform me that the Magro River had overflowed its banks in Utiel because there's no sensor. The president of the CHJ didn't tell me because that's not his role. The Confederation has a system of detectors in all the basins, at specific points, that respond to its needs for those facilities or infrastructure that are under its direct jurisdiction, such as dams and reservoirs. I called the president of the Confederation because when I saw the image, I called the mayor of Utiel who was on the phone, and then I called the president of the CHJ, Miguel Polo, to find out if he was aware of what was happening in Utiel.
I get the feeling that until you speak to the mayor of Paiporta, they don't know what's happening in Paiporta, Picanya and all of Horta Sud.
Because the CHJ sensor sent the email and the alert at 6:43 p.m., and we weren't connected at that time. At that time, according to my call log, I was on the phone with mayors from Ribera, which was where we were focused, about the possible collapse of the Forata River; it was a very high probability. If the water level had broken, it could have reached up to four meters in 20 municipalities. The CHJ provides information in real time, and the one who has to plan and outline the scenarios, and has the authority over civil protection, is the Generalitat (Catalan Government). When they activate the hydrological alert in a basin, they have the obligation to send their resources to monitor the ravines, and if they don't have them, to request them, not withdraw them as they did. The Magro alert was declared at about 10:00 a.m. and the Poyo alert at 12:20 p.m., and they were not deactivated.
Government delegate Pilar Bernabé during the interview.
Miguel LorenzoIf the Forata Dam had broken, the water could have reached up to four meters in 20 municipalities.
It's also known that before the Cecopi meeting began, people in Chiva received calls to 112, and they didn't say anything during the meeting. In that red room, which we've all seen countless times over the past six months, there's a giant screen with a map of the Valencian Community filled with lights, which light up at the points where the most calls are received. They didn't notify the mayors either. They called some the next day, even former mayors who were no longer mayors. Because they didn't have any, they didn't even have updated phone numbers.
Various parties in the case have requested your indictment. If you are called in as a suspect, do you plan to resign?
The judge has rejected this request up to five times. But we need to know who is asking for my indictment. It's the popular accusations of Vox, Hazte Oír, or a lawyer who, during the toughest moments of the Dana, was getting his pants dirty to appear on a live broadcast. There are people who, masking their indictment request with a bold headline, aren't explaining the interests behind it. I know perfectly well what my responsibilities are. And I fulfilled my obligations under the emergency plan, which is to be at the disposal of the Generalitat (Catalan government) and coordinate the Generalitat's communication with the agencies for everything that is required and with the Government of Spain.
I know perfectly well what my responsibilities are and I fulfilled my obligations.”
We understand from your answer that you would not resign?
Today I know that I did everything within my powers and obligations.
Do you have any self-criticism about how the government or state agencies acted? Not only on the day of the attack, but also in the days following.
From day one, I've visited each and every one of the municipalities affected by the disaster, and I know that many people felt alone and helpless in the first few hours. When I've had the opportunity to speak with victims' associations, I've always told them how deeply sorry I was that they felt that way. But I also have to explain what happened. The magnitude of the catastrophe was immense. On the 30th, before sunrise, there were five UME battalions from all over Spain, activated and already on the move in Valencia. Were they enough? At that moment, many people felt they weren't. In the first hours of the tragedy, the army troops were doing something no one else could do: erect all the structures and open all the roads. We responded to every request. We sent every number of troops they asked for, and there came a time when we sent them without them even asking.
A moment from the interview with Pilar Bernabé.
Miguel LorenzoI know that many people felt alone and helpless in the first few hours.”
Let's talk about reconstruction. When the Minister of Territorial Policy arrived, it seemed as though a joint committee between the Government and the Generalitat would be possible, but it hasn't happened.
There's a commission of experts, including the Generalitat (Catalan Government). We've had more than 100 meetings between teams from the regional ministries and various ministries. You can make all the excuses you want, but the tools, mechanisms, and channels are there to work, and we're working. The administrations are collaborating; agreements have been signed with all the local councils. There's no need for more gimmicks, no need to pull off more acts to find another grievance. Mazón only has to do two things: one, leave, and two, stop holding the Generalitat hostage to save himself. The Generalitat must continue working and rebuild the life plans of thousands of people. Ultimately, it's the Spanish government that's leading the reconstruction.
Because reconstruction isn't achieved by the president of the Generalitat sitting around a table taking a photo with the president of the Provincial Council. It's achieved by mobilizing resources, as the Spanish government has done: 16.6 billion euros, of which 5.2 billion have already reached Valencian families. That's the leadership of reconstruction: 16.6 billion euros from the government versus 500 million euros from the Generalitat.
The government delegate in her office during her meeting with 'La Vanguardia'.
Miguel LorenzoThe Generalitat (Catalan Government) complains about the delay in receiving aid and the pace of payments from the Insurance Compensation Consortium.
The Consortium has already paid out almost 3 billion euros. The highest percentage remaining is for those who didn't have insurance or for homes that also require structural reports. The Consortium's payment level is at 90%, 97% for vehicles, 93% for homes, and then there's a portion at 80%, which is for industries because the appraisal is more complicated. I've heard the President of the Generalitat say that people had to return state aid. Every day we have to fight the hoaxes and fake news fabricated at the Palau de la Generalitat.
The Consell also criticizes the Government for not directly assisting the Generalitat with reconstruction.
The government has given the municipalities 100% of the costs of rebuilding their structures and buildings and will pay them 100% of the aid they incurred due to the emergency. What does the Generalitat want? To cash in on this as well? What has the Generalitat done for the reconstruction of Paiporta or Alfafar? Let them come forward and explain.
I have received all the victims and I am the Government”
The victims are arriving from Brussels this week. When will the government receive them?
I have received them all. I am the Government.
Are you going to hold a state funeral or tribute?
It's an issue I've also discussed with them. We've considered it, and we'll certainly find the right time and way. But they also need to feel comfortable. The victims and the victims' associations that represent them, who are doing exceptional work and teaching a lesson in dignity to so many people, can only expect from all those in power the utmost respect, consolation, and also the work, willingness, and commitment to help them.
Seven months have passed. Why hasn't Pedro Sánchez returned to the affected areas and why hasn't he met with Mazón?
We all see what Mazón represents and his willingness to do anything. What Mazón needs to do is leave and leave the Valencian people with the peace they need. The importance and presence of the government must be realized in support and reconstruction, and that's what we've been doing. The Prime Minister has chaired more than 40 crisis cabinet meetings for the Valencia disaster and has done something the President of the Generalitat has yet to do: he has met with the mayors of the most affected municipalities. This is a democratic anomaly. One of the many we've seen in recent months.
The Government delegate, Pilar Bernabé,
Miguel LorenzoAt the municipal level, what major changes do you plan to introduce to the PSPV (Socialist Party of Valencia) in anticipation of next week's Congress? Do you plan to make any changes to the municipal group?
I'm very satisfied with the great work the municipal group is doing, overseeing María José Catalá's government, which, unfortunately, is giving her a lot of work. And it's giving her a lot of work, not exactly because she's doing great things, because we're now approaching two years of her term, and if we assess her management, we won't be able to say a single measure that has improved the city of Valencia. There isn't a single project that bears the Mayor's seal. She has done things, yes: she has put cars where there were people, she has taken away space that had been won for pedestrians, and she has returned traffic to cars. She has reversed bike lanes. She has changed projects that were submitted for European funding, which were aimed at creating low-emission zones, and she has changed them, I don't know if out of ideology or interests; she will have to explain that. Another very clear example is the green corridor. The Spanish government is going to spend almost 1 billion euros removing the roads at the southern entrance to Valencia, giving residents who have been asking for a large green area for decades, and now we're going to put cars in their cars. They're proposing to take a step backward. The Valencia of María José Catalá is the black and white Valencia of decades ago. Now vulture funds are coming in to speculate and profit from housing, which is the main problem in this city. And what has Catalá done in these two years? The only housing projects underway are being built by the Spanish government in the San Vicente barracks. Furthermore, the UCO (Union of the Workers' Union) has re-entered the City Council, reminding us once again of the days of the PP.
The Valencia of María José Catalá is the Valencia in black and white, the one from decades ago.
Do you think the government's handling of the Dana could be detrimental to the mayoral race?
No. The citizens suffering the consequences of the floods know who's there and who's not. They've seen me every day. I've worked my butt off, and the people in the flooded municipalities have seen me on their streets every day. They haven't seen Catalá much around La Torre.
The truth is that you've become the voice of the PSPV (Socialist Party of Valencia) all this time. What do you think of those who say you should be the candidate for the Valencian Generalitat?
It's a self-serving polemic by those who want to undermine the Socialist Party, and especially by those who have a particular weakness for women. The PSPV is absolutely clear about who its general secretary is and who the next president of the Valencian Generalitat will be. And without a doubt, it will be Diana Morant, because if there's anyone who truly represents rigor, seriousness, and science as a fundamental basis for protecting citizens and fighting denialism, it's undoubtedly her. There's no doubt about that in our party, but I understand why the Popular Party doesn't like Diana Morant.
The PSPV is very clear about who its general secretary is and who will be the next president of the Generalitat Valenciana.
Those voices are saying they like you more than Morant.
Deep down, they don't want me to run for Mayor of Valencia. We are very clear that the city of Valencia must have a Socialist majority, and that's what we're going to pursue. And with that, we will also contribute to and help my Secretary General become President of the Generalitat.
Finally, beyond calling for elections that Mazón doesn't want to call, what will the PSPV do? Will it change its strategy?
The Government delegate in the Valencian Community poses next to a window.
Miguel LorenzoThe PSPV has also made other demands because, at first, Morant told Feijóo that he had the PSPV's support to remove Mazón from the Valencian government. The problem is that in Génova it seems there's no one at the helm either, because now it turns out the replacement offered by the PP is Paco Camps and all the gentlemen who hugged him in the Veles e Vents building the other day. Now we're starting to see within the PP in the Valencian Community that they were all out to 'save Private Mazón,' just as they're all now out to 'save yourself.' The movements are already becoming apparent. And for this conclave they've announced, there are already many voices saying that this has to end, which I understand perfectly, because it has to end. It's unsustainable that we continue to maintain a president who can't even go out on the street, who only spends time at mass, in nuclear power plants, and in wastelands. This is the reality, you have to enter places through the back door.
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