ANGELES CITY – The patriarch of the Lazatin political clan — Carmelo Feliciano Lazatin – has died on Wednesday morning. He was 84.
In a statement sent to iOrbitNews, Rep. Carmelo “Jon” Lazatin II (Pamp-1st Dist.) and Angeles City Councilor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin Jr. said: “Today, we loss a great public servant and a loving father.”
“Tarzan” Lazatin, as he was fondly called, is serving as barangay captain of the business district of Balibago. He also served as Pampanga First District Representative from 1987 to 1998, Angeles City Mayor from 1998 to 2007 and Pampanga First District Representative from 2007 to 2013.
Tarzan succumbed to Cardio-pulmonary failure secondary to hepatorenal and hepatopulmonary syndrome and endocarditis at exactly 7:40 am.
Tarzan was known to be the ‘Father of resettlement centers’ in the first district of Pampanga, being instrumental to the creation of resettlement centers such as Mawaque, Madaddap in Mabalacat, Epza in Angeles City and San Isidro and Sta. Lucia in Magalang.
He was also considered as the ‘Father of Mabalacat City,’ having authored Republic Act 10164 Act Converting the Municipality of Mabalacat in the province of Pampanga into a component city.
He was the first Angeles City Mayor to be elected for three consecutive terms.
It was also during his term that Angeles City was able to provide affordable housing to 15,000 families, computerized all revenue generating offices and attained the ISO certification in 2002. Angeles City was then the first ISO local government unit outside Metro Manila.
He left behind his wife, Iluminada; and children: Janet Rita, Leia, Ma. Theresa, Claudelle, Carmelo Jr., Carmelo II, Pamela, Sharon, and Camille. His remains will be cremated.