ANGELES CITY – City Hall employees continue to show their support for the city government’s ongoing campaign for Gawang Angeleño.
In fact, City Budget Officer Corazon Ayson and City Accountant Genoveva Dizon joined the list of city hall employees signing on as “brand ambassadresses” for Gawang Angeleño products featured in the One Town, One Product (OTOP) shop of the city government.
Both Ayson and Dizon have been working as public servants for over four decades, being in charge of the city government’s Local Finance Committee.
Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. says the Local Finance Committee, composed of the City Budget Office, Accounting, and Treasurers, have shown their all-out support for the city government’s COVID-19 efforts, by making sure their departments are able to swiftly release the budget needed to finance the expenditures in battling the virus.
When the pandemic began, the Budget Office, together with the City Accounting, and Treasurer’s Offices were instructed by Mayor Lazatin to immediately release the fund needed for the city’s COVID-19 expenses such as the health workers and front liners’ hazard pay; relief assistance for the residents in 33 barangays; vitamins for seniors citizens; financial assistance of marginalized sectors (solo parents, Persons With Disabilities, Senior Citizens, and Public Utility Drivers); and the purchase of modular isolation tents for COVID-19 patients.
Apart from these, the city government is also preparing to release the Special Risk Allowance (SRA) for the city’s health workers, as soon as possible.
The Local Finance Committee says that they will fully support Mayor Lazatin’s programs to improve the welfare and safety of Angeleños, with or without the pandemic.
“Naiintindihan po namin na hindi biro ang kinakaharap ng city government, kaya nakasuporta kami sa mga programa na isusulong ni Mayor Lazatin, na para sa mga Angeleños,” Ayson said.
Meanwhile, Ayson says she decided to model for OTOP because she has been a long-time admirer of these local products, growing up seeing her father create similar handicrafts.
“Maganda at de-kalidad talaga ang produkto galing dito sa Angeles kaya hindi ako nagdalawang-isip na tumulong sa napakagandang project na ito ng city government,” Ayson added.
Dizon agreed with Ayson’s opinion about Gawang Angeleño, saying she has always believed that the city’s local products deserve the attention of the world.
“Magaling talaga ang mga Angeleños and panahon na para mapansin ng ibang tao yung talent at passion ng mga kababayan natin,” Dizon said.
Amid the challenges brought about by the pandemic, Mayor Lazatin encouraged residents of the city to patronize locally-made products, in order to help local industries and small business entrepreneurs recover financially.
According to Lazatin, the “Gawang Angeleno” campaign aims to feature not only the quality of products being made here, but at the same time provide a sustainable livelihood for Angeleños by showcasing their skills and talents.
“Importanteng matulungan nating makabangon ang mga kababayan natin, ngayong panahon ng pandemya, lalo na yung may mga maliliit na businesses. Gusto rin nating maipakilala sa lahat yung Gawang Angeleño, na kayang makipagsabayan sa buong mundo,” Lazatin said.