ANGELES CITY – The former president and CEO of the Clark International Airport Corp. has assailed the city government for its alleged lack of information on what is happening in the city regarding the Covid-19 pandemic.
Alex Cauguiran, in an open letter to Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” G. Lazatin Jr. on Thursday said, in this time of uncertainty, the timely and right information is the most important thing that can be given to the public.
“Ang (wastong) impormasyon ang pinakamahalagang bagay sa panahon ganito. Ang tama at napapanahong impormasyon ay makakapagbigay-kapanatagan sa ating mamamayan,” said Cauguiran, who ran for mayor but lost to Lazatin in 2019.
Cauguiran said from his silence at home with his family because of the quarantine, he is able to follow the exchange of views and opinions as well as information on social media and he is bothered by what he sees as the rising anxiety of Angelenos because of the lack of regular and right information from the authorities.
He said he is hesitant to come out and join the conversation for fear he might just lend confusion and that he be misjudged as just wanting publicity.
“Bantulot akong lumabas at makisawsaw, baka makadagdag lang sa kalituhan, at sasabihing pumapapel na naman ako,” said Cauguiran.
But he said it’s time to make a stand in his desire to help in clearing the already worsening situation: “Ngunit tila kailangan na nating kumibo, sa hangaring makatulong sa paglilinaw sa sitwasyon.”
Cauguiran said Lazatin should not take this as an affront against him: “Sana ay huwag inyong masamain ito.”
He said the crisis has created much stress especially if the information going around is wrong and not factual.
Cauguiran said to avoid misinformation, the city government should have a regular spokesperson at this time of crisis for factual and timely information to come out with reliable and timely announcements on TV, radio, social media and others.
Cauguiran said it is also important to have hot lines and emergency lines for the people to easily access for their queries: “Sa ganito, maiiwasan ang fake news at iba pang nakalilito at nakakagulong impormasyon.”
“Batid po namin ang inyong pagsisikap na maitaguyod ang kapakanan at kagalingan ng ating mamamayan sa panahong ito. Kasama ninyo ako sa hangaring ito,” Cauguiran said.
