Marcos cancels visit to Apayao due to bad weather

MANILA, Philippines — Bad weather caused by Tropical Storm Dodong forced President Marcos to cancel his visit to Apayao on July 15.

The President was supposed to attend the 36th Cordillera Day celebration at the Bienvenido G. Verzola Jr. Sports Center in Luna town.

According to a weather bulletin issued by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) at 11 a.m. yesterday, Dodong did not directly bring heavy rainfall to any part of the country. All wind signals have also been lifted but the enhanced southwest monsoon may still bring gusty conditions over several areas, including the Cordillera Administrative Region, where Apayao is located.

In a speech delivered by Presidential Assistant for Northern Luzon Assistant Secretary Ana Carmela Remigio during the celebration, Marcos vowed to prioritize the development of agricultural lands and to modernize the farming sector.

“As President and concurrent agriculture secretary, I am relentlessly pushing and prioritizing the development
 of our agricultural lands. I cannot emphasize it enough, but we really need to invest in the development, productivity and modernization of our agricultural sector,” Marcos said.

“By building infrastructure and improving market linkages of our farmers, our farmlands will yield not only crops, but also opportunities that create ripples of positive effects throughout our nation,” he added.

The President also called on the people of Cordillera to support the programs of the Regional Development Council that seek to attain inclusive development without destroying the region’s natural heritage.

“The Cordilleras’ potential in terms of hydropower, irrigation and agriculture is vast and should continue to be tapped for the benefit of all,” he added.

Dodong was expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility yesterday afternoon and may intensify to reach typhoon category on July 17 while over the West Philippine Sea.

Siargao fest

Meanwhile, President Marcos lauded yesterday the resilience of the people of Siargao as the province hosted the first Dapa Siargao International Dragon Boat Festival.

In a speech delivered by his son William Vincent, Marcos noted that it has been more than two years since the world was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and more than a year since Super Typhoon Odette wreaked havoc on Siargao.

He said the strength of Siargaonons made the holding of events like the international Dragon Boat Festival possible.

Twenty-eight teams from different countries participated in the event, which the President described as “another momentous leap forward.”

“Through the crucible of adversity, our Siargaonon brothers and sisters were able to muster their innate resilience and strength, leading us to this very moment,” the President said.

He also called the paddlers the “highlight of the festival” and reminded them that their participation in the competition would allow them to show the “boundless capacity of human strength, endurance and spirit.”