False info on lawmaker’s food aid fools barangay

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – “Don’t make and spread fake news.”

This was the appeal of Bacolod Rep. Greg Gasataya after he was victimized by false information about the alleged food assistance he was supposed to hand out.

Gasataya said he was surprised to get a call Friday night that hundreds of residents at Barangay Manisilingan here waited outside their houses as they were informed that the lawmaker will distribute food assistance relative to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-10) crisis.

“In times of crisis like what we are now experiencing, it is heart-breaking to know that there are person/s who spread misinformation to discredit me, without realizing that they put to risk the lives of their fellowmen,” Gasataya said in a post on his Facebook page.

He said he was informed that residents of Barangay Mansilingan, from Purok Guanzon, Purok Katilingban, Paglaum Village and nearby puroks and hacienda, including those in Barangay Felisa, placed chairs outside their residences and waited for the distribution of foodstuff.

Gasataya clarified that he has not scheduled any distribution of food assistance in the area.

He lamented the intentional misinformation spread by certain individual/ individuals.

He added that the schedule of food assistance distribution is coordinated by his staff and delivered to houses.

“There is no need for them to put out chairs outside their residences,” Gasataya said.

He learned that the residents went out of their homes and waited in the streets for the food assistance distribution.

“Amo ini ang pinakamasakit kag akon ginakainitan sa naghimo sini nga paglabugay tungod imbes nga mag-quarantine, ila nga ginpagwa ang mga pumuluyo kag ginbutang sa risgo ang tanan,” Gasataya said.

He also said that from all indications, “this shows that this was organized, well planned and executed.”

“Please don’t spread fake news and mislead the people, we are in a crisis and this might endanger the lives of others including yours,” Gasataya appealed.