INCUMBENT Angeles City Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin Jr. will seek reelection in the upcoming 2022 elections as he filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) before the local Commission on Elections (Comelec) on October 1, 2021.
Lazatin was joined by his runningmate, incumbent Vice Mayor Ma. Vicenta “Vicky” Vega-Cabigting, and his brother reelectionist Pampanga First District Representative Carmelo “Jon” Lazatin II.
Also present during Lazatin's filing of COC was his entire slate of councilor-aspirants -- incumbent City Councilors Joan Cyrstal “JC” Aguas, Marino “Niknok” Bañola, Joseph Alfie Bonifacio, Raco Del Rosario, Danilo “Dan” Lacson, Jesus “Jay” Sangil, and Atty. Arvin “Pogs” Suller; as well as new hopefuls Rodelio Mamac Jr., Aaron Pineda, and Christopher Joseph “CJ” Ponce.
Lazatin and his team are running under the Kambilan party of Pampanga Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda and the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP). Lazatin is the President of the Angeles City Chapters of both parties.
Platforms
If reelected, Lazatin said the cornerstone for his second term in his office shall be economic recovery in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, along with health and social welfare and sustainability.
“A lot of businesses have suffered as a consequence of the pandemic, which is why our focus now should be on how to help these businesses get back on their feet,” Lazatin said.
For his second term, Lazatin plans to conduct a review of the Angeles City Investment Code to adapt to the changes brought about by the pandemic.
“The so-called ‘new normal’ has brought about many changes to the way we do business and the City Government’s policies should be able to reflect that,” Lazatin said adding that, “Government policies should be progressive and adaptive to change.”
Lazatin aims to further encourage local industry through strengthening the Angeleño First “Gawang Angeleño” Campaign and expanding the reach of the One-Town, One-Product (OTOP) Program. Both programs were first initiated by the Lazatin administration during the pandemic in order to help ailing businesses in the city.
Lazatin also plans to provide more opportunities for alternative livelihood for Angeleños, especially those who have been displaced from their jobs due to the pandemic. This includes free-range chicken raising, crab farms and hydroponics.
To help ease the process of doing business in Angeles City amid the constraints and safety concerns in the pandemic, the City Government will also continue its efforts to modernize the business application process, starting with the implementation of the online payment for business permit application.
Lazatin will also initiate the P200 million worth rehabilitation of the Pampang Public Market, including the construction of a steel parking.
Lazatin also addressed baseless rumors about the alleged privatization of the Pampang Public Market.
“Ang Pampang Market ang sentro at puso ng ating komunidad. Kaya lalo po nating aayusin at pagagandahin ang ating pamilihan,” Lazatin said, “Wala pong katotohanan ang mga tsismis na ikinakalat ng ilang mga taong hindi pabor sa ating administrasyon na gagawin daw nating pribado ang Pampang Public Market. Fake news po yan.”
In his second term, Lazatin will continue to put a primacy on health and social welfare programs with the construction of the P20-million Kanlungan ng Kabataan, a home for street children where they will be cared for, educated and reintegrated into society.
Lazatin will also push for the modernization of the city’s 28 sub-health centers and six rural health units (RHUs), converting them into 24-hour birthing stations. Dental health clinics in the RHUs shall also be modernized to promote the oral health care of all Angeleños.
Plans for the conversion of the Rural Health Unit 6 in Barangay Pulung Cacutud as Level 1 Hospital is also underway. Lazatin also aims to establish another Level 1 Hospital in Barangay Margot.
Lazatin will also ensure sustainability amid development through the massive reforestation of the Angeles City Watershed, which shall secure a water source for future generations of Angeleños.
Lazatin revealed his platform of government and running slate during the Team Lazatin press conference at Best Western Hotel on October 1, 2021.
All attendees during the press conference underwent antigen testing via Quest Diagnostics prior to entering the venue.