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DENR Undersecretary Benny Antiporda (File photo of HENZBERG AUSTRIA / Senate Public Information and Relations Office)
MANILA, Philippines – The Geographical Society of the University of the Philippines (UP GeogSoc) is calling for the resignation of Deputy Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Benny Antiporda for his “bayaran kayo” comment against UP experts.
The Geographical Society of the University of the Philippines is a non-profit, non-partisan academic organization made up of university students dedicated to promoting the discipline of Geography in the Philippines.
Antiporda previously told experts from the UP Institute of Marine Sciences that they have no right to criticize the Manila Bay rehabilitation project, as they are “bayaran” (paid).
UP GeogSoc said it found Antiporda’s comments and behavior “unacceptable to a government official,” especially a DENR official.
He also called Antiporda’s “anti-scientific sentiment” “disappointing.”
“Given your inadequate background for the job, as well as your disregard for the opinions of other Filipino scientists, we ask that you formally retract your statements against the UP MSI and resign your post as undersecretary,” UP said. GeogSoc. in a statement Wednesday.
“The DENR needs a spokesperson who, instead of antagonizing local scientists, expresses and explains in an articulated way the objectives and policies of the department, in addition, this country deserves a DENR Undersecretary who is credible, receptive and committed to protection, conservation and management of our resources, “he added
Posted by the Geographical Society of the University of the Philippines (GSUP) on Wednesday October 14, 2020
Antiporda has apologized to UP for his comment “bayaran ka” addressed to the experts of the institution.
“I would like to begin my statement with an apology to the UP as a whole. First, it is not intended to destroy the good name of the university itself, ”Antiporda said in an interview on ABS-CBN News Channel.
/ MUF
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