DENR exec to Tañada: Stop politicizing Manila Bay rehab program

DENR Undersecretary Benny Antiporda and Otso Diretso candidate Erin Tañada

MANILA, Philippines–An official of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Wednesday urged Otso Diretso candidate Erin Tañada not to politicize the rehabilitation and clean-up efforts of Manila Bay.

Undersecretary for Solid Waste Management Benny Antiporda, DENR spokesperson, said Tañada should stop politicizing an honest-to-goodness program that aims to bring back the old glory of Manila Bay, saying this is for the benefit of the people and the environment.

Antiporda’s reaction came after Tañada said the rehabilitation of Manila Bay should not be done in haste and this government action can only put the country in more debts.

“We love with intensity right? Cleaning up Manila Bay shouldn’t be done artificially and in haste. True love is just and it waits,” the former lawmaker said in a statement on Wednesday.

“We have seen how rehabilitation plans have put countries in more debts, poverty, and environmental risks because of bad planning,” he added.

READ: Tañada: Cleaning Manila Bay like Boracay rehab will be disastrous

Antiporda instead advised Tañada to just concentrate on his political agenda rather than totally maligning a genuine program like the Manila Bay rehabilitation.

“We have proven this in Boracay and we intend to do it in Manila Bay. We will prove this to him. Free ride in destroying the agency is not allowed here but if he wants to help, he’s welcome but if not he should just shut up,” Antiporda said. /jpv