Sen. Villanueva's Mindanao sorties cut short by inclement weather in Bukidnon
DAVAO CITY -- Senator Joel Villanueva’s planned sorties in several Mindanao provinces had been cut short last week due to bad weather in Bukidnon.
Villanueva said in a statement that his team made an emergency landing in an undisclosed place in Cagayan de Oro City, instead of Butuan City, on Thursday afternoon as thick rainclouds in Bukidnon hampered visibility.
The Senator said he came from a private meeting with Bukidnon Gov. Jose Zubiri in Maramag, after a two-city swing in the Visayas earlier in the day. After taking off from Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Villanueva’s team flew to Bukidnon for a scheduled meeting with the 81-year-old local chief executive.
After their brief meeting, Zubiri endorsed Villanueva. After the meeting, Governor Zubiri urged Villanueva to leave early upon seeing thick clouds slowly converging in Maramag.
Locals observed that while rain clouds often bring light to moderate downpour in the afternoons, Thursday’s unusual heavy rains affected visibility in the mountainous terrain of Bukidnon, making flights risky.
Villanueva was supposed to fly to Butuan City after his Bukidnon whistle-stop for several engagements and meetings, including a gathering of Christian pastors and leaders there. He was also set to meet gubernatorial candidate and Agusan del Norte Rep. Angel Amante-Matba.
The following day, Villanueva was scheduled to meet officials of Agusan del Sur led by Rep. Eddiebong Plaza and Gov. Santiago Cane in Prosperidad, Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal Adiong in Marawi City, Cotabato City Mayor Cynthia Sayadi, and General Santos City Mayor Ronnel Rivera.
Villanueva said he took off Maramag past 2:00 p.m., but after 20 minutes into the flight, rain clouds impaired the pilot’s visibility prompting the chopper to divert to an area in Cagayan de Oro and wait for the weather to improve.