FIRST DISTRICT, Pampanga – In a meeting on October 14, 2025, Congressman Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. set a joint safety inspection of schools and universities in the First District with the Department of Public and Works and Highways (DPWH), the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Angeles City, Mabalacat City, and Magalang, relative to the recent earthquakes and bomb threat hoaxes on social media.
The DPWH, through the Pampanga 3rd District Engineering Office, shall lead the structural safety inspection of buildings and facilities in the schools. Meanwhile, the PCG and PNP shall conduct a security sweep of the campus.
The inspections will be carried out in coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd) and the local government units of Angeles City, Mabalacat City, and Magalang.
“Hiniling po natin sa DPWH, through Secretary Vince Dizon at Engr. Arnold Ocampo ng Pampanga 3rd District Office, na magsagawa ng inspeksyon ng structural safety ng mga gusali at pasilidad ng mga paaralan para siguraduhin ang kaligtasan ng mga estudyante,” Lazatin said.
“Minabuti na rin po natin na isabay sa structural safety inspection and security inspection ng PCG at PNP, kaugnay na rin sa isyu ng mga fake bomb threats na natatanggap ng mga paaralan sa mga nakalipas na araw,” he added.
In the past two weeks, the country has experienced consecutive strong earthquakes: Cebu on September 30, La Union on October 9, Davao on October 10, and Zambales and Surigao Del Sur on October 11.
Meanwhile, since September, there have been numerous false bomb threat posts on social media targeting schools and universities, not only in the First District but also in other towns in Pampanga – including, but not limited to, National University Clark Campus, Angeles City National Trade School, City College of Angeles, Gov. Rafael L. Lazatin Integrated School, Pampanga State University – Don Honorio Ventura State University, and University of the Assumption.
“Marami po sa ating mga kababayan, lalo na ang mga magulang, ang nababahala sa mga nangyayari. Ginagawa po natin ito para mabawasan ang kanilang pag-aalala,” Lazatin said.
“Sa tulong ng DPWH, PCG, PNP, at mga lokal na pamahalaan sa Unang Distrito, sisiguraduhin po natin ang kaligtasan ng inyong mga anak sa eskwelahan,” he added.
On October 13, 2025, Lazatin also filed House Resolution No. 368 requesting the Department of Education (DepEd) to postpone face-to-face classes and shift to alternative modes of learning, such as modules and online classes, for a period of at least two weeks in public and private schools nationwide to give time for the formulation of guidelines on disaster and emergency preparedness and response in schools.