It took President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. three hours before he was able to grace an event in South Cotabato due to a technical issue on his aircraft going to the province.
President Marcos arrives in Banga Municipality in South Cotabato at 12 noon on Wednesday, June 14, 2023. (RTVM Screenshot)
Marcos was scheduled to lead the launching of the South Cotabato Consolidated Rice Production and Mechanization Program at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, June 14, in Banga, South Cotabato but he arrived three hours later due to the technical issue.
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Cheloy Garafil said the aircraft that was supposed to bring the President to South Cotabato had to go back to the Villamor Airbase in Pasay.
"Nagkaroon ng technical issue ang eroplano kaya bumalik sa Villamor at gumamit ng ibang aircraft patungong South Cotabato (There was a technical issue so the the aircraft had to go back to Villamor Airbase and the President used another aircraft going to South Cotabato)," Garafil said in a message.
She then said "the President is ok."
The President was indeed okay as he arrived in the Municipality of Banga at 12 noon, where he apologized for the three-hour delay.
"Yung pagpunta namin dito—hihingi ako ng paumanhin ninyo, e pinaghintay ko kayo ng ilang oras (My travel going here—I apologize, I made you wait for hours)," Marcos told the attendees as he began his speech at the launching event.
He told them that he still pushed through amid the aircraft problem as the agricultural program was such a key project by the province.
"Maganda po ang pagkakataon na ito na kahit na na-delay kami ng kaunti e pinilit ko na makarating dahil sa pagkakataon na ito ay masasaksihan natin ang paglulunsad ng napakahalagang proyekto ng lalawigan (Despite the delay I still pushed through because this is an important opportunity to witness the launching of an important project of the province)," Marcos said.
According to the Provincial Government of South Cotabato, the consolidated farming program will enhance production, improve grain quality, as well as become globally competitive through strategies such as good agricultural practices, low cost production, efficient farm mechanization and value adding practices, among others.
From South Cotabato, the chief executive was also scheduled to fly to Albay to personally assess the situation amid the Mayon Volcano unrest.