DENR Undersecretary Benny Antiporda apologized Thursday to the University of the Philippines (UP) over his “bayaran” remark towards the UP Marine Science Institute amid criticisms thrown at the Manila Bay dolomite project.
“I would like to start 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.
“This is just to send a message to the UP MSI [Marine Science Institute] that we’re partners here,” he went on.
Antiporda yesterday slammed UP for its criticisms on the Manila Bay rehabilitation and allegedly milking public funds since 2016.
“Kalahating bilyon ang binayaran sa kanila simula 2016 hanggang taong ito. Kalahating bilyon na puro lang konsultasyon, walang infrastructure. Kalahating bilyon ang binayaran natin sa UP na ‘yan,” Antiporda said.
“Hindi niyo karapatan batikusin ito dahil bayaran kayo. ‘Yun lang po ang masasabi ko sa UP. Uulit-ulitin ko: Bayaran kayo,” he added.
“I apologize because talagang natangay din po ako ng emotions ko kahapon dahil po medyo masakit po e,” Antiporda admitted. “Hindi po akong pulitikong tao kaya ganun.”
DENR Usec Antiporda apologizes to UP
(I apologize because I was carried away by my emotions yesterday because I was hurt. I’m not a political person, that’s why.)
“We want something good for the people. When it comes to this project po kasi, dati basura ito, ngayon po buhangin,” the DENR official added.
(We want something good for the people. When it came to this project, it used to be full of trash, and now we have sand.)
Meanwhile, UP MSI director Laura David, who was also present in the interview, accepted Antiporda’s apology saying there is no “bad blood” between the two government institutions.
“Wala naman pong bad blood between DENR and UP,” she said.
DENR Usec said as partners. The UP scientists should have approached the environment department first instead of making their recommendations public.
“Since sila po ay partner namin dapat po sana ay rumekta sila sa amin, hindi po ‘yung dumaan sila sa media at i-discredit nila ang experts namin dito na graduate din naman karamihan ng UP.”