Newly-installed Angels City Mayor Carmelo “Jon” Lazatin?II said he plans to suspend the collection of environmental fees which are included in the water bill of residents in Angeles City.
"Hindi naman natin basta-basta matatanggal ito. Pero sa unang linggo ng pag-upo natin, kailangan suspendihin na natin ang implementasyon nito," Lazatin said during his inaugural speech on Tuesday at the Lapid Sports Arena in Barangay Pampang.
Lazatin and the incoming Sangguniang Panlungsod members, headed by Vice Mayor Amos Rivera, were sworn in by Judge Omar Viola.
"Ibaba natin sa konseho para i-review ang environmental fee. At sigurado naman, katuwang ko ang Sangguniang Panlungsod para mapahusay natin ang mga batas na hindi na akma sa sitwasyon," he added.
Lazatin issued the statement in response to issues about the environmental fee, intended to support waste management and other programs in the city.
During the campaign period, Lazatin vowed to scrap the environmental fee if it is proven burdensome to residents.
Vice Mayor Amos Rivera has earlier expressed the same sentiment -- removing the environmental fee.