“No one will be left behind.” This was declared by Angeles City Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. on June 28, 2024, when he officially announced his candidacy as Pampanga First District Representative in front of some 1,800 guests at the Magalang Town Plaza, Magalang Municipality.
“Isa lang po ang sineseguro natin. Sa ating panunungkulan, wala pong maiiwan. No one will be left behind,” said Lazatin, “Ito po ang aking bibitawang pangako — ang lahat ng sektor ng ating lipunan ay mararamdaman ang ating sinserong paninilbihan.”
Lazatin’s legislative agenda highlights seven main areas: Health; Economy and Livelihood; Vulnerable and Marginalized Sectors (Children, Youth, Women, Senior Citizens, Persons with Disability (PWDs), Solo Parents, and LGBTQ); Environment; Education; Transportation; and Barangays.
According to Lazatin, his legislative agenda shall follow a basic tenet – ‘ALANG MALAKWAN’ – focusing on delivering public services to all sectors from all walks of life.
During his declaration of candidacy, Lazatin vowed to exhibit the same fervor and commitment he has shown as Mayor of Angeles City.
“Ako po ay magbabahay-bahay dahil gusto ko pong malaman ang bawat pulso, bawat kailangan, at bawat hinaing ng aking mga kababayan sa Unang Distrito ng Pampanga,” Lazatin said, “Gusto ko pong lalong ilapit ang aking sarili at aking serbisyo sa bawat pintuan ng aking mga kababayan sa Unang Distrito, lalo na po sa mga kapuspalad.”
“Ginawa ko po yan ng anim na taon sa Siyudad ng Angeles at ako po ay excited na excited na palawakin po ito at abutin kayo sa bayan ng Mabalacat at Magalang,” he added.
Lazatin, who is currently serving his second term as Angeles City Mayor, is known for frequently going on ‘house-to-house’ visits in all barangays of Angeles City to personally deliver social services, including free inoculations and vitamins for children, and free medicines and social pension for senior citizens.
Describing Lazatin’s brand of accessible, ‘door-to-door’ public service, Danilo Nacu, President of the Liga ng mga Barangay in Angeles City, had this to say, “Iya ing mumunang mayor a personal na memasyal kareng senior citizen, lalo na deng bedridden para dinan lang panulu’t ayuda.”
“Anggang alanganing oras punta at puntalan na deng mangailangan, lalu na pu reng kesilaban, bang abye na ing paunang saup bista man pwedi ne man pung manutos,” Nacu added, “Apin ini ing manungkulang ating lugud.”
Also part of Lazatin’s agenda is the filing of a measure to make the fiscal incentives under the Comprehensive Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises or CREATE Law more competitive, in order to encourage more local and foreign investments, especially in Clark Freeport Zone.
Lazatin also intends to file a measure that will expand the coverage of the Primary Care Package, under the Universal Health Care Act, to include check-ups and laboratory tests in its coverage, which is expected to reduce the out-of-pocket expenses of patients.
Pogi Lazatin is the third Lazatin to vie for the position of Pampanga First District Representative — a position currently held by his brother, Carmelo “Jon” Lazatin; and previously held by his late father, Carmelo “Tarzan” Lazatin.
Tarzan Lazatin served as Pampanga First District Representative from 1987 to 1998 and from 2007 to 2013. During his tenure, he authored R.A. 10164 which effected the conversion of the Municipality of Mabalacat into Mabalacat City in 2012 — earning him the moniker, “Father of Mabalacat City.”
The date of Pogi Lazatin’s announcement coincides with what would have been the 90th birthday of Tarzan Lazatin.
“Kung nanu pu ing gewa ning kanakung pengari — Congressman Tarzan — at ning kanakung kaputul — Congressman Jon — isundu ku pu,” said Pogi Lazatin.
(Photo by Kim Tayag)
