Isabela Governor Rodolfo Albano III clarified on Tuesday the reason behind his trip to Germany before the arrival of Super Typhoon Uwan, saying it was a pre-scheduled official visit to attend an agricultural fair.
“Ang nangyari do’n, naka-set na yo’ng Agri fair dito sa Hanover, Germany,” Albano said in a television interview on November 11.
He explained that their participation aimed to invite foreign companies to the Philippines and promote agricultural machinery and technology.
“Naimbitahan kami dito… to invite these companies here in Germany and all over sa Europe para pumunta sa Philippines para magbenta at mag-promote ng kanilang mga machineries here,” he said, adding that the event is “one of the biggest agri-tech exhibits in the world.”
Albano said they only received the directive not to travel after they had already departed.
“At saka 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 explained.
“Kasi kung babalik din kami… sasalubungin din namin ‘yong bagyo diyan. So useless,” he added.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla earlier confirmed that Albano’s attendance at the Germany agricultural fair was official and pre-approved.