The world’s richest man and Microsoft founder Bill Gates visited the Philippines since Black Saturday but only on Wednesday that he was spotted at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in Los Baños, Laguna. Bill Gates arrived in NAIA on Black Saturday, April 4 and headed to Amanpulo, Palawan.
According to some reports, the Microsoft founder returned to Manila and arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) yesterday from Palawan on a private jet, reportedly owned by the Soriano family. The private jet used by Bill Gates is still inside the hangar of Asian Aerospace at the NAIA.
Philippine Immigration officials could not provide more information about Bill Gates’ arrival and departure in the country. In a news report posted by Interaksyon.com, the billionaire philanthropist visited the IRRI for two hours on Wednesday morning.
The confirmed report of Bill Gates visit to the Philippines was neither confirmed nor denied by both Microsoft Philippines and the officials of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).
The Gates Foundation according to sources had invested as much as $20 million in research for the Golden Rice variety developed in IRRI. His visit to the institute for at least two hours was part of his consultations on the latest development in rice research.
Contrary to reports mentioned above, some aviation sector sources, confirmed that a private jet tied to Bill Gates was in the country and was supposedly arrived in Palawan on Black Saturday. The private jet had flown into Manila from Puerto Princesa and Bill Gates visited the IRRI on Wednesday.