PHOTO: office of Abra Rep. Ching Bernos via Julie Aurelio/Philippine Daily Inquirer
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said Wednesday he might possibly visit areas hit by the earthquake on Thursday or “as soon as possible,” saying a visit of a national official at the moment may only cause a disturbance.
Marcos explained that based on his experience as a governor, a visit of a national official would only disturb operations being conducted by local government units.
“I am staying away from going to the affected areas for a very simple reason: It has been my experience as a governor, it has been my experience in Yolanda that when the national officers come to the affected areas, ginugulo lang namin ang trabaho ng mga local,” Marcos said in a press briefing.
“Pupunta ako dun, maghahanap pa ako ng mga pulis para mag-secure, kailangan akong i-meet ng mga local officials, marami silang ginagawa. So I said, ‘Let them do their work. Let us wait for them to tell us what the true situation is’,” he added.
Nonetheless, Marcos said he may schedule a visit on Thursday or “as soon as possible.”
“Maybe I can schedule a trip tomorrow [or] as soon as possible,” Marcos said.