Reports: Bill Gates visits rice research institute in Manila

Bill and Melinda Gates.

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates visited the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in the Philippines today, local reports citing unnamed sources said.

The world’s richest man arrived at the IRRI headquarters in the Philippine province of Laguna at 8 am aboard a private helicopter. He was there for two hours, one report noted.

Another report citing sources in the aviation sector said a private jet with registration number N887WM, and tied to Gates, was in the country as early as April 4.

Local news sites that carried the reports sought IRRI for comment, but its spokesman Tony Lambino did not deny or confirm Gates’ supposed highly confidential visit.

One report however quoted Lambino as saying that Pamela Anderson, the agricultural development director of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, has been at IRRI since the weekend. Lambino said Anderson was briefed on food and nutrition security programs the foundation is supporting. The briefings concluded Wednesday morning.

Gates, whose net worth stands at US$79.2 billion according to Forbes Magazine, started to shift his focus away from Microsoft years ago to devote more time to the philanthropic projects supported by the foundation he built with his wife. In 2014, he stepped down as chairman of the computer giant, and took on the role of technology advisor.

From poverty to health to education – the Gates’ foundation is focused on areas of greatest need. “We build partnerships that bring together resources, expertise, and vision – working with the best organizations around the globe to identify issues, find answers, and drive change,” it says on its site.

It supports IRRI and partnered with the institute to develop Golden Rice varieties that are suited for the Philippines and Bangladesh. This type of rice contains beta carotene and it is hoped it will improve the health of millions of children and adults in the two countries.