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Roque seeks to mediate in row between DENR's Antiporda, UP
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on Thursday said his office may mediate in the row between Environment Undersecretary Benny Antiporda and a group of UP experts in connection with the government's Manila Bay "white sands" project.
Interviewed on Unang Hirit, Roque said he is not aware of the details of the riff but noted that the University of the Philippines, as the "national university" under the law, should be a "partner" to the government.
"Kaya nga po ang UP, tinitignan po talaga nating partner 'yan," said Roque, himself a UP graduate who taught law in the university for 15 years.
"Parang obligasyon pa nga nila sa batas na bumuo sa bagong pamantasan ng Pilipinas, bagong charter ng UP, na makipagtulungan sa gobyerno," he added, referring to the UP.
Roque said the issue between Antiporda, who has been defending the controversial Manila Bay project from criticisms, and the UP experts may just be a misunderstanding.
"So sa akin po siguro hindi lang pagkakaintindihan 'yan. Hayaan niyo po baka kinakailangang mag-mediate ang aking opisina dahil nasa batas naman po iyan na talagang kaakbay ng gobyerno ang UP bilang the national university," he said.
At the Laging Handa public briefing on Wednesday, Antiporda blasted UP
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“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,” he said.
“Bakit kayo naniningil sa gobyerno? Matapos kayong pag-aralin ng taumbayan, matapos kayong maging iskolar ng taumbayan, sisipsipin niyo ang dugo ng ating kababayan sa dami ng kinuha niyong pondo,” Antiporda added.
UP biologists have advised the government to use mangroves instead of covering Manila Bay’s shoreline with crushed dolomite because this project is cheaper and more cost-effective.
Sought for comment, UP Vice President for Public Affairs Elena Pernia told GMA News Online that the experts from the university did not mean to criticize the DENR by publicizing their studies.
“Hindi naman 'yun criticism. It is the job of the University. It is the job of scientists to put out their studies. We're not criticizing,” she said.
“Wala kaming kini-criticize. Parehas kaming gobyerno. Tumutulong kami,” Pernia added.
She also said the amount already given by the DENR to the Marine Science Institute (MSI) is less than P500 million, contrary to Antiporda's claim. —KBK, GMA News