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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 15) – Undersecretary for the Environment and spokesman Benny Antiporda on Thursday apologized to the University of the Philippines for his controversial comments against its experts, whom he called mercenaries or “payment.”
Speaking to CNN Philippines, Antiporda admitted that he “got carried away” during Wednesday’s Laging Handa briefing, where he criticized UP scientists for criticizing the government’s Manila Bay beach nutrition program, accusing them of making money. with consultation services.
“Let me begin this statement with an apology to the UP as a whole,” Antiporda said in an interview with The fountain. “Yesterday I got emotionally carried away. I don’t think it’s fair to the people at UP, who are really working hard for our compatriots. “
However, Antiporda pointed out that the UP Institute of Marine Sciences, a longtime partner of the agency, could have sent their suggestions and criticisms directly instead of making these comments public.
“We’re just pulling something (We have a reason), when it comes to the subject of the Institute of Marine Sciences, ”said Antiporda.
“This is not about destroying the good name of the University of the Philippines. But this is to send a strong message, telling them na partners po tayo (we are partners). This could not have happened if you have communicated-communicate us correctly, if you don’t go through media (if they communicated with us correctly rather than going directly to the media), “he added.
The UP MSI, in a statement published at the end of September on its website, said that the dolomite project in Manila Bay will not help solve environmental problems in the area, and may even pose health risks and threats to the marine environment.
The UP Diliman Institute of Biology has also expressed its willingness to help the agency implement a science-based rehabilitation program for the bay along Roxas Boulevard.
But Antiporda responded that the authorities would only accept such an offer if it were free, claiming that the government has already paid 500 million pesos for the state university’s consulting services.
In response to Antiporda’s comments, UP MSI clarified that it has received a total of ₱ 364 million spanning 10 collaborative projects with DENR over the last decade.
‘Science open to criticism’
UP MSI Director Dr. Laura David, for her part, noted that there was no bad blood from the academy amid what she called a “miscommunication.”
“Science is always open to criticism. So when we present our data, we allow people to criticize us, so that we can improve ourselves, ”David said on the same show.
“We don’t take this personally. We take it professionally … Nothing (there is) bad blood, ”he added.
Some netizens and an academic organization of the state university have called for Antiporda’s resignation after this controversy, but the DENR official emphasized that he will only resign if President Rodrigo Duterte tells him.
RELATED: Antiporda Critics Calling for His Resignation: Write a complaint to Duterte
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