Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin Jr. has requested the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to address the presence of illegal structures within the 150-hectare Sapangbato Watershed Protection area.

In a letter to DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga, Mayor Lazatin called for the department’s intervention in issuing cease-and-desist orders, investigating violations, and clearing unauthorized developments in the watershed.

“Illegal structures have emerged in the upland areas of this protected zone,” Lazatin stated. “The Angeles City Government is prepared to work closely with your office and other agencies to ensure compliance with environmental laws and safeguard the watershed for future generations.”

Lazatin highlighted a recent field inspection that revealed several unauthorized structures built on slopes exceeding 18%, violating environmental regulations, including Section 15 of Presidential Decree No. 705 (Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines). The steep slopes increase the risk of landslides, soil erosion, and the degradation of critical natural resources, he warned.

The mayor stressed the importance of preserving the watershed, noting its impact on flood prevention and water resources for Angeles City and nearby areas like Mabalacat and the City of San Fernando. “If the trees in the Sapangbato Watershed are lost, these cities could become catch basins during the rainy season,” he said.

Since his first term in 2019, Mayor Lazatin has worked with the Abacan River and Angeles Watershed-Advocacy Council Inc. (ARAW-ACI) and various organizations to reforest the area. The initiative aims to protect the water aquifer affected by nearby golf courses. To date, over 100,000 trees have been planted with the support of partners such as Converge ICT Solutions, Angeles City Water District, and local businesses and organizations.