04/04/2020
Sa gitna ng crisis bigla dumami ang political ngangalists
economic experts at social critics..
Apology accepted.
Official Statement from Mayor Joy Belmonte 3 April 2020
Dear QC residents:
As we end the third week of this enhanced community quarantine, we are grateful to all of our frontliners who continue to sacrifice to meet our needs. Taos-puso po akong nagpapasalamat at sumasaludo sa mga nagsisilbi sa mga ospital, sa mga lansangan, sa kani-kanilang barangay at sa iba’t-iba pa pong lugar na nangangailangan ng tulong at serbisyo. Kayo po ang mga tunay naming bayani sa krisis na ito, at patuloy kong ipinapanalangin ang inyong kaligtasan.
Kasabay ng paghahanap pa ng mga paraan para mas mapabuti ang aming serbisyo sa ating mga komunidad, nais ko rin pong hingin ang pagkakataong ito para humingi ng paumanhin sa inyo.
First, I sincerely apologize for losing my composure on social media. You are correct that all the projects implemented by the QC government belong to you, as they are funded by your taxes. When I was elected as Mayor, I was given the honor and privilege to serve all QC residents, regardless of political affiliation. Pero alam kong isang malaking pagkakamali na nakapag-post ako ng mga salitang taliwas dito. Inaamin ko po na nagkamali ako.
Second, I apologize for distributing health kits branded with “Joy Para Sa Bayan”. While it is true that my team used leftover donated bags from the previous campaign and that they were the most readily available bags on the first day of ECQ, it is clear that this was highly insensitive given the circumstances. Inaamin ko po na nagkamali ako.
When I reflect on these actions, I do not recognize the public servant that I aspire to be. The citizens of Quezon City deserve better. I will do better.
**********
I would also like to take this opportunity to inform you about the ongoing misinformation campaign viciously directed against the QC local government on social media. Our analysis shows that this is fueled by thousands of paid trolls. We appeal to everyone to please be very critical about what you read, like, or share. Huwag po tayong magpadala sa “fake news” at trolls. Sa halip na tumulong at makiisa sa lungsod para malampasan ang COVID-19, may mga taong sinasamantala ang krisis para sa kanilang pansariling interes.
Napakarami na pong “fake news” na ikinakalat. Nais ko pong bigyang linaw ang ilan sa mga ito.
First, the QC government never sent home 3 COVID-19 positive patients; it was the hospitals that sent them home. That perception was due to an error by ABS-CBN, which they have since corrected: https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/03/23/20/qc-health-exec-says-hospitals-not-city-govt-sent-home-positive-covid-19-patients
Sa katunayan, sinundo namin ang mga pasyenteng ito mula sa kanilang tahanan at inilipat sa aming Hope 1 facility.
Second, QC food packs are not overpriced; they do not cost P2500. That perception was due to an error published by Manila Bulletin, which they have since corrected: https://www.facebook.com/ManilaBulletinLifestyle/posts/2543755925887125
I am disheartened that whoever is funding this misinformation campaign has taken advantage of one of the most difficult times in our history to sow confusion, uncertainty, and distrust. They have chosen to create divisiveness at a time when we need to be most united against an invisible enemy that knows no bounds.
Mahaba pa po ang laban kontra sa COVID-19. Ito po ang panahon na kailangan nating protektahan ang isa’t isa. Kasama ng buong Team QC, kayo po ang aming inspirasyon sa patuloy na paglilingkod. Bilang ina ng pinakamalaking lungsod sa Metro Manila na humaharap sa napakabigat na hamon ng krisis na ito, araw-araw naming inaalala ang kaligtasan at kalusugan ng tatlong milyong residente, lalong-lalo na ang mga maralitang tagalunsod.
Ang Quezon City ay hindi lamang po isang lungsod. Ito ang ating tahanan, kung saan tayo dapat panatag at ligtas. Samahan po ninyo kami sa pangangalaga at pakikipaglaban para sa ating tahanan. Sa tulong ng Panginoon, mapagtatagumpayan po natin ang labang ito.
