CHIEF COVID fighter Mayor Beng Climaco has condemned political black propaganda and fake news and disinformation campaign amid the pandemic, especially at a time people are suffering from coronavirus fatigue.
Climaco’s foes have in the past years criticized the mayor every single day with trolls using social media to spread lies and fake news. Even the local government’s Covid response and efforts were not spared - from food aid to construction projects to a pothole on the road, and nature’s wrath were also being blamed to the mayor.
From the very beginning, Climaco said the local government strongly abide and maintain transparency, accountability and inclusivity in all Covid-19 relief and support efforts to disprove and counter the propaganda of hate and division that do not contribute to healing, to community solidarity, to a more caring, optimistic and nurturing culture that her administration aims to build to counter this pandemic.
“Too much negativity will not foster peace, will not foster progress and will not bring prosperity to our people. Covid-19 has increased vulnerability of our communities and our youth to hate, to polarization and extremism. Narratives are even twisted to build distrust versus the government such as conspiracy theories in social media that say government fabricates Covid numbers so it can get more funds and support from the national government. We also received accusations that the local government abuses its powers because as it implements strict yet necessary Covid regulations,” she said.
And recently, an erroneous report by the Department of Health (DOH) on the sudden spike of Covid cases in Zamboanga resulted in fear and confusion, and even anger against the local government, according to Climaco.
The mayor said
the Covid fatigue has made people more prone to distrust and disregard
government guidance and information. “Many feel restricted by the Covid-health
measures. We have curfew, limited recreational activities, and strict
requirements for masks, face shields and social distancing and these are taking
a toll on everyone’s mental health and well-being, which has also led to cases
of depression, and sadly, even suicide,” Climaco noted.
Last year, she also lambasted fake news and false information being peddled by her detractors and called on the public to carefully scrutinize news or stories created to deliberately misinform or deceive the people.
“El black propaganda ta continua y el fake news, false
information na social media ta continua hace calayat el cuantos maga persona
que tiene mal intencion para destrosa el govierno local, para destrosa el
esfuerzos del govierno por de ila vested interest,” Climaco said.
“Y el los demas personas, como venganza contra
con el govierno cay no puede estos maga gente influir con el gobierno local.
Por tantos años, el ataque contra na administracion sin descanso por causa de
politica,” she added.
Climaco said the black propaganda is a gross
distortion of the truth, adding, the local government continues to work hard
for the welfare of the people while her foes are busy spreading black
propaganda ahead of the 2022 national and local elections. (Zamboanga Post)
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