Sorry folks!

MINDORO OCC. TRIP CANCELLED

BECAUSE OF RAIN, BAD WEATHER

My scheduled trip today to Mamburao, Mindoro Occidental has been cancelled because of heavy rain and bad weather.

The helicopters – an Air Force Belle and a Raven II – are now at Camp Aguinaldo ready for the trip but the latest weather advisory indicated rains and bad weather which could be make the trip very risky.

Kung ako lang, wala akong problema kasi sanay ako sa ganitong mga byahe but several staff of the Department of Agriculture will be with me and I do not like to endanger their lives.

I would like to apologize to the farmers and fishermen, including local officials, who are now gathered in Mamburao to attend a forum which I wanted to preside to address their problems following the series of tropical storms which caused damage to agriculture and fisheries in the province.

When the weather would be more favorable, I will push through with the trip maybe next.

In the meantime, Chief of Staff Bong Piñol has relayed my instructions to the staff and officials of the Department of Agriculture who are now in Mamburao to continue the dialogue with the farmers and fishermen and gather their concerns so that these could be addressed.

Again, my apologies to the farmers and fishermen who I know are expecting to meet with me.

Meron pa naman pong bukas! Salamat po!

(Photos taken yesterday before our flight to Bataan, Tarlac and Pangasinan using a small Raven II and an Air Force Belle helicopters. Alan Jay Jacalan)