Netizens on Thursday slammed Environment Undersecretary Benny Antiporda and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority spokesperson Pircelyn Pialago after selfie photos they took at the Manila Bay with the so-called dolomite white sand beach in the background.
The photos taken Thursday morning, which netizens branded as “insensitive” in the aftermath of Typhoon “Ulysses,” were deleted after the two government officials came under fire on social media.
Antiporda posted the pictures on Facebook and wrote a caption: “Dolomite lang ang matatag” (only dolomite lasts).
The photos were posted in response to criticisms that the strong winds and heavy downpour brought by the typhoon could possibly wash out the artificial white sand.
Social media users said the caption made by Antiporda is “very insensitive” and “unbecoming” amid the series of serious situations happening in the country, such as the casualties and damages brought by three recent typhoons and the coronavirus disease outbreak.
In a statement, Pialago said Antiporda’s post does not reflect her personal or official views on the matter.
“Earlier this day, while my team and I were inspecting the thoroughfares of Metro Manila, I happened to bump into Usec. Antiporda. His Facebook post does not, in any way, reflect my sentiments on the matter. My team and I were there working to ensure the safety of the public and to clear the roads of debris. We started inspecting at 1 a.m.,” she said.
In an earlier message sent to MMDA reporters, Pialago said: “Guys may problema sa post re kay Benny Antiporda. Okay lang ba next time naman guys kung kasama lang ako sa picture hindi naman ibig sabihin na statement ko un. Nadadamay ako sa statement ng ibang tao. Been outside since 2 AM.”
“Nagpuputol kami ng puno, nagrerescue tapos sa isang insidente n nagpapic siya dahil nagkasabay kami sa Roxas Blvd madadamay ung agency. Unfair naman un. Kapag post ko naman guys, hindi ko naman dinedeny. Kapag post ng ibang tao okay lang clarify din natin if we said the same thing,” she added.
Pialago came under fire last month after her Facebook comment on the plight of detained activist Reina Mae Nasino and her daughter, River, who died at 3 months old while her mother was still in prison.
Antiporda, on the other hand, was also recently hit for describing scientists from the University of the Philippines, who have criticized the dolomite beach project, as “bayaran” or paid hacks.