President Macapagal Arroyo has refused to intervene in the controversy between the management of the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center Aquaculture Department (Seafdec/AQD) and its protesting scientists and other research staff despite repeated calls of the latter that she step in to address their concerns. "I already assigned (Agriculture) Usec. (Cesar) Drilon to be in-charge and to investigate," Arroyo said in yesterday morning's press conference at Sarabia Manor Hotel and Convention Hotel in Iloilo City. But the President touched on the department's budgetary problem, noting what she calls "changes from the funding source," which is the Japanese government.

Guadalquiver, N. L. (2004, March 22). Arroyo on Seafdec/AQD: Usec. Drilon is in-charge. Sun Star Iloilo, pp. 2, 6.