Villanueva: Gov't should consider inputs from universities
Sen. Joel Villanueva said Thursday that the government should consider inputs from universities and support them for their contributions to the country's development.

Villanueva issued the statement as Environment and Natural Resources Undersecretary Benny Antiporda apologized for his remarks against scientists of the University of the Philippines (UP) who have been critical of the "white sand" beach project at the Manila Bay.
He said Antiporda's apology was a "good opportunity to realize and appreciate our universities as they are actually our primary source of groundbreaking researches and new ideas."
"We should take advantage of their suggestions, recognize their expertise in their fields and continuously support them as they contribute a lot to development and advancement of knowledge," Villanueva said.
Opposition Sen. Leila de Lima said described Antiporda’s statements as a denial of the "failed" beach project.
Villanueva, chairman of the Senate Committee on Higher, Technical, and Vocational Education, is a member of the UP Board of Regents.