Capas, Tarlac Mayor urges people to support government: “We Filipinos, always help each other at wala pong makakapagpabago doon”

The Mayor of Capas, Tarlac who previously opposed the plan of the government to place the repatriated Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) from China in the New Clark City, has already made a move to calm its people amid the fear of getting infected by 2019-novel coronavirus.

On a Facebook post, Mayor Reynaldo Catacutan Sunday urged his people to “throw its all-out-support” to the plan of the government and stop posting hate messages on social media.

“Now that the national government has finally decided to use the Athletes village in Capas as the quarantine area for our returning kababayans, Capas can only move forward and throw its all-out-support to this nationally-led endeavor.” Catacutan said.

“After all, the essence of democracy was in the air the days prior to the repatriation, Capaseños spoke and made an honest stand through the Sangguniang Bayan. Things all said and done, Capaseños are called to heed the call of the bigger picture. Moving forward carries with it the stop of all hate-related posts in Social Media as I urge fellow Capaseños and others to refrain from such.” he added.

According to him, they were assured by the national government that there’s nothing wrong going to happen during the 14-day quarantine period of the OFWs from China.

“Sama-sama po nating susuungin ang mga alinlangang bunsod ng NCoV at kapit-bisig nating ipamalas ang ating pakikiisa sa kabila ng mga pangamba na unti-unting napawi ng kasiguraduhan mula sa pambansang pamahalaan na sapat ang proseso patungkol sa pag-iwas sa pagkalat ng sakit.” 

“Let us join hands in supporting the whole-of-government approach of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in his fight against NCoV.”

On his previous Facebook post, Mayor Catacutan said that his previous statement against the plan of the government is not his “final decision” over the matter, and only expressing his concern as he’s currently in Germany and far from his municipality.

“This was not a FINAL STAND. I repeat, THIS WAS NOT A FINAL STAND but an initial reaction from a father who was protecting his family. Bilang ama ng Capas na malayo sa kanila, I initially reacted dahil nag cause po ng panic ang biglaang balita na sa New Clark City dadalhin ang mga repatriated Filipinos na under monitoring. We were blindsided. And we owed it to our people na mag explain sa kanila pero wala kaming full information the very moment na lumabas po ito sa national news,” he said.

He also explained the reason why the LGU of Capas and its people are afraid at first to the plan of the government, like its possible effect to the tourism of New Clark City.

“Nagkaroon po ng spread of fear at fake news. Una dahil hindi po kami nainform, at hindi namin nai-relay sa mga tao.”

“Pangalawa, nagtaka ang mga tao kung bakit sa NCC, na pawang sports facilities ang mga pangunahing imprastruktura.. Bakit dito dadalhin ang mga kababayan, angkop ba ang NCC para doon? Matutulungan nga ba sila?”

“Ano ang magiging implication nito sa image ng Capas at ng New Clark City gayong may mga upcoming events sana dito. Ano kaya ang magiging future ng NCC kung magiging quarantine zone ito at biglang may magpositive. Ang NCC na ginastusan po ng napakalaki ng national government at ipinagmalaki natin bilang world-class facility. Baka masayang at magkaroon ng stigma o irreversible negative image bilang quarantine zone.”

He also defended the reaction of the people of Capas, saying that they’re not being selfish but only expressing uncertainty because they’re not informed about the plan.

“Ang reaksyon po ng mga tao sa Capas ay hindi po akto ng pagiging maramot kundi pruweba na ganito ang nangyayari kapag hindi naiintindihan ng mga tao ang sitwasyon, prublema at solusyon. Sila ay nagpapanic, natatakot, nagagalit at umaalma.”

“Ang mga tao sa Capas po ay nakaranas na ng napakaraming trahedya pero hindi po sila nakakalimot tumulong din sa iba sa napakaraming pagkakataon.”

Catacutan also reminded the government that despite having no jurisdiction in New Clark City, the people of Capas still have the right to get informed about the said plan of the government.

“Kami po ay mga lokal lamang. Ang mga taong nakapaligid po sa NCC ay mga lokal. Minsan nakakalimot man po tayo na iinvolve ang mga community bago po tayo mag implement ng mga proyekto, program o measures pero ang mga maliliit na taong ito ay parte po ng komunidad,”

“Karapatan po nilang malaman ang mga bagay na ganito lalo na it is a health concern at globally pinag uusapan po ito. Hindi po liability ang community kung sila ay well-infomed, mas makakatulong po sila kung aware sila,”

He then wished for a permanent solution to the 2019-nCoV.

A few days ago, the LGU of Capas opposed the plan of the government to make the Athlete’s Village in New Clark City as a quarantine zone, citing health concerns.

Yesterday, after a meeting with the officials from the national government, the Capas LGU finally decide to let the OFWs use the Athlete’s Village as a temporary home of the OFWs.

However, they said that they’re only going accept one batch of OFWs.

 

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