ANGELES City Mayor Carmelo Lazatin Jr. is set to formally open Thursday, February 27, the "Puso Center" that will provide free healthcare services to Angeleños.
The center, located at the second floor of the city hall, is composed of new minor surgery clinic, animal bite treatment center, and dental clinic where all services are free of charge.
Lazatin said the three-in-one health center is the City Government's commitment to monitor health problems and ensure the safety of his constituents.
"This administration strongly stands for inclusiveness, especially in terms of health care. This is why we have the 'Puso Center,' because we want everyone to have access to readily available and free medical services," said Lazatin.
He added that the health center aims to reflect the City Government's priority in serving the indigent and marginalized sectors in the city, where free services such as minor surgery, tooth extraction, and "Operation Tuli (Circumcision)" every summer where 3,000 boys are the target beneficiaries in April.
"The first step for us is to put up a medical care center which is closer to the people. Yung hindi sila mahihiya magpunta or magpacheck-up sa mga doktor o health staff natin. Let us identify the health problems in our community to resolve them right away," Lazatin said.
Executive Assistant IV Reina Manuel personally supervised the renovation and ongoing repair of the center to ensure quality service upon its launching.
Lazatin has also allocated a total of P10 million budget for 2020 to ensure that Rural Health Units (RHU) or the Barangay Health Center will always have supply of free medicines.
Lazatin said providing free health care is the legacy of his father, former Angeles City mayor and First District Representative Carmelo "Tarzan" Lazatin.
"I will carry on my father's legacy," Lazatin said.
It can be recalled that it was during the administration of the former mayor when health services in the city became accessible and free of charge.
It was also during the older Lazatin's stint when a dental clinic inside the city hall was established, and medicines in health centers and dispensary clinic in the city hall were made readily available.
"Just like my dad, I will continue to promote and prioritize the health programs for my constituents," Lazatin said.