Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Erwin Tulfo and Angeles City Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. led the distribution of ₱10,000 assistance to some 225 members of the Sama-Bajau community and one hundred Aetas on December 14, 2022 at City Council, City Hall Compound.

This project is part of DSWD’s Consultation Dialogue and Caravan Services.

The distribution, which was held at the City Council, was attended by Pampanga First District Representative Carmelo ‘Jon’ Lazatin II, Department of the Interior and Local Government — Angeles City Director Darwin David, City Social Welfare and Development Office headed by Edna Duaso, and Angeles City Tourism Officer Anneleen Antonio-Sugui.

Also present during the distribution of assistance are DSWD Regional Director Jonathan Dirain, and other DSWD Regional officials.

Mayor Lazatin thanked Sec. Tulfo and the DSWD for allotting cash assistance for his indigent kababayans.

To recall, since Mayor Lazatin took office in 2019, members of the Aeta community in Barangay Sapangbato receive ₱2,000 kabuhayan assistance, food packages, and seedlings from the city government every year in celebration of Indigenous People’s Month.

Mayor Lazatin recognized the significant contribution of IPs in the development of the society.