“Every department sends somebody who does not even know the definition of climate change.

DAVAO CITY – In what could also serve as a warning to other government agencies, President Rodrigo Duterte yesterday limited future Philippine representation to overseas climate conferences to just one, challenging officials to save and not drain government funds.

“No more excessive and extravagant travels” was again the President’s message when he spoke Wednesday night before the participants in the Pacific Island Health Ministers to Climate and Health Conference at the Marco Polo Hotel here.

Saying group travels only drain government coffers, Mr. Duterte reminded his officials that he had fired 19 high-ranking government executives due for their propensity to squeeze government of travel funds, using similar conferences as an excuse to satiate their wanderlust.

“So much travel on climate change– in Africa they were there…New Zealand they were there…And they were there en masse in Tokyo! Every department sends somebody who does not even know the definition of climate change,” he said.

Duterte said he saw the list of 11 climate change-related travels all over the world “but nothing has been done to my country except (incur) expenses”.

“Once and for all we decide, insist one representative from Climate Change Commission, not allow everybody (to join),” the President said.

“We need only one mouth (to talk). We are not as rich as France. We can afford only to send one and maybe if it is to my liking, join her,” Duterte later bantered with the participants.

Mr. Duterte said sacking officials from his team for their excessive travels and wanton use of government funds “pains (him) deeply to see them go.”

Despite limiting the number of Philippine representatives to climate change conferences or meetings, the President remains committed to supporting all endeavors to make the Asia-Pacific region and the rest of the world “a much happier place to live in.”

Among those Mr. Duterte sacked for intemperate use of their travel perks are Marcial Amaro III as administrator of the Maritime Industry Authority, Celestina Ma. Jude Dela Serna as president and chief executive officer of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp., Anti-Poverty chief Teddy Ridon and Bureau of Customs deputy commissioner Noel Patrick Sales Prudente.

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