Team DailyPedia
Governor Rodolfo Albano III has defended his decision to travel to Germany ahead of Super Typhoon Uwan, saying the trip had long been scheduled for an international agricultural fair aimed at strengthening Isabela’s farming capabilities.
In an interview with Bilyonaryo News Channel on Tuesday, November 11, Albano clarified that the visit to Hanover, Germany, was part of a planned effort to attract agricultural investors and introduce advanced farming technologies to the Philippines.
“Ang nangyari do’n, naka-set na ‘yong Agri fair dito sa Hanover, Germany,” Albano explained. “May isang talk pa nga dito na Pilipino ang nag-salita para i-promote ang mga agricultural machineries at imbitahan ang mga kumpanya sa Europe na pumunta sa Philippines.”
Albano emphasized that the Agritechnica Fair in Hanover is one of the largest agri-tech exhibitions in the world, featuring new machinery and sustainable innovations.
The governor also clarified the timing of his departure, saying the directive to suspend foreign travel due to the typhoon came after he had already left the country.
“Noong dumating ‘yong order na ‘yan sa amin, it was on the ninth [of November]. Nakaalis na kami actually. Hindi naman kami puwedeng bumalik kaagad,” he said. “Kasi kung babalik din kami, kunwari kukuha kami ng ticket ng [November 10], sasalubungin din namin ‘yong bagyo diyan. So useless.”
Albano added that he had informed Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla about the trip weeks prior.
In a separate statement on November 10, Remulla confirmed that he had approved Albano’s travel leave a month earlier, noting that the Isabela governor regularly attends the annual agricultural fair.
“I remember signing his travel leave a month ago kasi may malaking Agri fair sa Germany and yearly pinupuntahan niya talaga ‘yon,” said Remulla. “We will find out kung umalis talaga siya on the seventh of November. Kasi nakausap ko siya, Sabado, [November] 8, e… sabi niya, he would get the first ticket home.”
However, Albano’s absence during the height of Typhoon Uwan drew public criticism—intensified by his earlier remark urging Isabela residents to “pray and chill” as the storm approached.
“Sa akin, cool lang. Kumbaga chill. Total wala naman tayong magagawa kasi talagang papunta ‘yong bagyong ‘yan. Wala namang makakahinto niyan kung hindi Diyos lang,” he said in a previous interview.
The governor later defended his comment, saying it was misunderstood and that disaster preparedness measures were already in place before his departure.
“Bago pa ako umalis, nagdi-drill na kami. Halos taon-taon sampung beses na kami nagdi-drill. May mga solusyon kami na unti-unting ginagawa para ma-mitigate namin lahat ng mga papasok na bagyo sa lalawigan namin,” Albano said.
Despite ongoing criticism, Albano maintained that his trip was for the province’s long-term agricultural development, adding that mechanization and technology are essential to mitigate the impact of future typhoons.
Meanwhile, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) confirmed that it is reviewing the travel of Albano and several other local officials to determine if they violated the temporary suspension on foreign travel issued before the typhoon.
