ANGELES CITY -- Angeleños have proven that “bayanihan” is still alive, as thousands of relief packs were delivered to Batangas, led by Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. on January 22.
Lazatin, accompanied with four trucks — three truckloads of relief goods and one truck containing hygiene kits — and 12 passenger vehicles carrying a medical team and social workers, rescue and search personnel, and volunteers from the city government will help residents of Lipa City, Tuy and Balayan town in Batangas.
“May mga dala po tayong bigas, canned goods, toiletries, lahat po ng dinonate satin ng mga kababayan natin dito sa Angeles City, dadalhin po natin sa kanila,” the mayor said.
According to the mayor, Angeles City is ready to extend its helping hand to the victims, since the City has experienced devastation too during the Mt. Pinatubo eruption in 1991.
“Ito po ay isa lamang bagay na gusto naming suklian. Nadaanan po namin ang naranasan ninyo kaya kung ano pa pong tulong ang maibibigay namin para sa inyo, mga kapatid naming Batangueno, handang-handa po ang siyudad ng Angeles na tumulong sa inyo,” he added.
The mayor said the city’s medical team will conduct free check-ups to the families, as well as provide medicines to assure their health condition.
“In dire need, we Filipinos must stand as one to help one another. Pasensya na po kayo, ito lang po ang nakakayanan namin sa ngayon. Kung marami pa pong darating sa siyudad namin, huwag po kayong mag-alala babalikan po namin kayo,” he added.
Moreover, he also cited the generosity of his constituents to donate for the victims of Taal Volcano, even before the city called for donations.
“Dahil po sa pagkakaisa ng bawat Angeleño, nakapagpadala po tayo ng tulong sa mga kapatid nating Batangueños. Salamat po sa inyong lahat,” he said.
The mayor then thanked Executive Assistant IV Reina Manuel, City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), Vice Mayor Vicky Vega-Cabigting, City Councilors, Office of the Mayor, Gender and Development (GAD) Office, General Services Office (GSO), Angeles City Emergency Disaster Command Center, City Information Office, Angeles City Economic Development and Investment Promotions Office (ACEDIPO), City Engineer’s Office (CEO), Record’s Office, and other volunteers from City Hall employees for their hard work from inspecting and repacking goods until the distribution day.
Meanwhile, this is not the first time the Angeles City government, under the leadership of Lazatin, sent help to disaster-stricken areas.
Last December, on behalf of Lazatin, former city councilor Rudy Simeon, Pampang barangay captain Lydon De Luna, Balibago barangay captain Tony Mamac, and Sta. Trinidad barangay captain Danilo “Dan” Nacu personally handed over relief goods and a cash donation of P500,000 each to 10 municipalities in North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Davao Del Sur, which were severely affected by the strong succeeding earthquakes last October. (PR)