CAPAS town Mayor Reynaldo Catacutan has appealed to his constituents to support the decision of the government to use the Athletes’ Village in New Clark City (NCC) as quarantine site for repatriated Filipinos from Hubei province in China.
The mayor, who is on leave, said the national government has actually used the NCC as quarantine area and Capas town should now move on.
Thirty Filipinos, including an infant, arrived Sunday from Wuhan City, the epicenter of a respiratory disease outbreak caused by the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). They have been placed under quarantine in the Athletes’ Village in NCC for 14 days, the incubation period for the contagious disease.
"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.
The local chief executive said the people of Capas have already expressed their sentiments against the move and that is the essence of democracy.
"After all the essence of democracy was in the air the days prior to the repatriation, Capasenos spoke and made an honest stand through the Sangguniang Bayan. Things all said and done, Capasenos are called to heed the call of the bigger picture," Catacutan said.
He also urged the Capas residents to stop posting comments on social media related to the issue.
"Moving forward carries with it the stop of all hate-related posts in social media as I urge fellow Capasenos and others to refrain from such," the mayor said.
He also mentioned the assurance of the government, particularly the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), will address all issues and concerns on the use of NCC as quarantine site.
The agency, which is managing NCC, assured communities around the area of safety and protection.
"Sama sama po nating susuungin ang mga alinlangan bunsod ng nCoV at kapit-bisig nating ipamalas ang ating pakikiisa sa kabila ng mga pangamga na unti-unting napawi ng kasiguraduhan mula sa pambansang pamahalaan na sapat ang proseso patungkol sa pag-iwas sa pagkalat ng sakit," Catacutan told his constituents.
Calling for unity among people of Capas, the official assured that he will always protect the interest of his people.
"To signify support after the reservations is the hallmark of true-blooded Capasenos who heeded the clarion cll for the welfare of our kababayans. We made two steps forward and one step backward to do away the tunnel vision which obscured the bigger picture," Catacutan said.
"I can only assure you that I will not relent in looking after every Capaseno's welfare. Let us join hands in supporting the whole-of-government approach of President Duterte in his fight against nCoV. Thank you as we march together for the greater good," he added.
Catacutan clarified that his previous statement asking President Duterte and Department of Health (DOH) to consider another place for a quarantine site was not yet his final stand.
"This was not a final stand but an initial reaction from a father who was protecting his family. Bilang ama po ng Capas na malayo sa kanila, I initially reacted dahil nag-cause po ito ng panic. Ang biglaang balita sa New Clark City po dadalhin ang mga repatriated Filipinos na under monitoring," the mayor said.
The town officials, he added, were "blindsided". They owed the people an explanation and information regarding the plan of the government when the report came out in the national media.