ANGELES CITY, Pampanga — Following the devastating floods caused by Typhoons Tino and Uwan, Pampanga First District Representative **Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. has called on the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to strictly monitor and enforce the ‘no-build’ zone within the Sapangbato Protected Agricultural Land and Watershed in Angeles City.
“Nakita na natin na lahat ng sakuna na nangyari ay dulot ng pagkalbo ng mga bundok at kagubatan — huwag na nating hintayin pa na mangyari ito sa Unang Distrito ng Pampanga,” Lazatin said.
As former city mayor, Lazatin spearheaded the approval of Angeles City’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) 2021–2030, which designates 546 hectares of the Sapangbato Watershed as a protected agricultural area and prohibits the construction of any permanent structure within its boundaries.
In a letter dated November 11, 2025, Lazatin formally requested DENR’s assistance in ensuring strict compliance with the CLUP and preventing any new developments in the protected zone. He likewise sought the support of his brother, Mayor Carmelo “Jon” Lazatin II, and other Angeles City officials in enforcing the measure.
The lawmaker also appealed to the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) to carefully assess environmental impacts before approving projects within or near the watershed area, which falls under the political jurisdiction of Angeles City.
During his term as mayor, Lazatin ordered the closure of several illegal establishments—including resorts and restaurants—built within the protected area in violation of the CLUP.
He further encouraged residents to join reforestation efforts in Sapangbato, which began under his administration in 2019. “Nananawagan ako sa ating mga kababayan na makiisa sa adbokasiya ng pangangalaga sa kalikasan at tumulong sa pagpapanumbalik ng gubat sa Sapangbato,” he said.
From 2019 to 2022, the Angeles City government, in partnership with the Abacan River and Angeles Watershed Advocacy Council, Inc. (ARAW-ACI), planted over 145,000 seedlings in the watershed area.
Studies by international environmental agencies, including the European Environment Agency (EEA) and the University of British Columbia, have shown that forest cover plays a crucial role in mitigating floods by absorbing excess rainwater and reducing water runoff.
(Photo shows illegal structures discovered within the protected area of the Sapangbato Watershed in 2024 during the term of then-Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. Now a congressman, he urges DENR to enforce the ‘no-build’ zone to prevent future tragedies.)
