Isabela Governor explains Germany Trip and ‘Chill’ remark; Palace says ‘Hindi puwedeng chill-chill lang, trabaho dapat’

Isabela, Philippines – As Super Typhoon Uwan (Fung-Wong) loomed, Isabela Governor Rodolfo Albano III drew criticism after telling residents to “chill” before leaving for Hannover, Germany on Sunday — a remark later rebuked by Malacañang.

Before Uwan made landfall on Sunday evening, the state weather bureau warned that the typhoon could hit Isabela, which was placed under Signal No. 4.

As the typhoon approached, Albano, in a radio interview, said duties had been delegated and provincial disaster teams were well-prepared. He also claimed that the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) often exaggerates forecasts, causing unnecessary panic.

“Lagi namang ganyan ang PAGASA at nakaka-build ng anxiety. Sa akin, chill lang. Wala namang makakahinto diyan,” the governor said.

He added that local governments could only prepare and pray.

“Wala tayong magagawa kundi pray, pray, pray. Hindi naman tayo puwedeng mag-build ng Noah’s Ark na isasakay ko na lahat,” he said.

His statements, made amid growing public concern, sparked backlash online.

In an interview with ANC, Albano clarified that contingency plans had already been implemented before his departure.

“Bago pa ako umalis, nagdi-drill na kami... Kung masyadong malakas na yung bagyo, wala na talaga kaming magagawa... Akala kasi nila ‘pag sinasabi ko na wala tayong magagawa diyan, parang lumalabas na wala akong ginawa,” he explained.

Regarding his foreign trip — despite a Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) directive suspending official travel for local chief executives — Albano said the trip had been planned earlier and was authorized by DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla.

He said the agricultural fair he was attending was important to explore innovations in farm mechanization and disaster management for Isabela farmers. Returning home at the height of the typhoon, he added, would have been “useless.”

“Kami naman nandito sa Germany para tumingin din... Hindi naman kami puwedeng bumalik kaagad kasi sasalubungin din namin yung bagyo diyan. Useless, ‘di ba?... Hindi ako si Superman na kailangan ako diyan,” he said.

Other Officials in Region 2 Also Abroad

Batanes Governor Jun Aguto was also out of the country during the typhoon. Eight mayors from Region 2 were reportedly on official or medical leave, including the mayors of Burgos, Mallig, Quezon, San Manuel, Santa Maria, and San Mariano in Isabela; Itbayat in Batanes; and Aritao in Nueva Vizcaya.

DILG–Region 2 spokesperson Liberty Barcena confirmed that the officials had applied for travel or medical leave weeks before the onset of Uwan.

Malacañang: ‘Hindi Puwedeng Chill-Chill Lang’

On Tuesday, Malacañang criticized Albano’s “chill” remark, emphasizing that local officials must fulfill their duties diligently, especially during disasters.

“Unang-una, sa Pangulo, hindi po niya gusto na ang mga liderato ay chill-chill lang. Dapat ang trabaho ay para sa taumbayan kasi umaasa po sila sa gobyerno, lalo na sa ganitong klaseng sitwasyon,” Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said in a press briefing.

“Hindi puwedeng sabihin na chill-chill lang palagi. Dapat trabaho, hindi bakasyon,” she added.

Malacañang said the DILG would determine any violation of Remulla’s directive suspending foreign travel for local officials from November 9 to 15.