THE CENTRAL Mindanao University’s Natural Products Research and Development Center issued an apology on Saturday after it trended for offering puny prizes in its logo-making contest.

The NPRDC offered P1,500 for the first prize winner,  P700 for the second prize winner and P300 for the third prize winner.

This raised a furor among netizens who called out the university for being stingy. Some suggested that the base prize should be at least P2,500.

“This is embarrassing. You are a university!! You are basically telling design artists and students with art skills that their works are only valued so little. Ugh, tapos pa design contest pa?”

“I hope no one joins this!” another quipped.

The deadline for the submission of entries is on February 15, 2021.

“Natural Products Research and Development Center would like to sincerely apologize to everyone who raised their concerns on the recent call for the Logo-Making Contest. The activity is with a genuine purpose, and it does not have any intention of disrespecting nor demeaning the artists and their creative works,” CMU said.

“The NPRDC values your feedback. Rest assured that these will be considered, and appropriate action will be taken,” it added.

However, the university has yet to publish new guidelines and prize pool for the contest.