Unsheltered, abandoned and vulnerable? The unstoppable Angeles City Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin Jr. has been fulfilling his committment in rendering services and building places to call home not only for homeless senior citizens but for boys and girls as well.
Among the major elements of Mayor Lazatin’s life-saving advocacy programs is dedicated to rebuilding lives coupled with mental health benefit and emotional benefit enabling the beneficiaries to be living in decent and well-maintained shelters yielding long-lasting hope, happiness, strength, sense of belongingness, acceptance and new possibilities especially this Christmas season.
HOME FOR THE GIRLS
Mayor Lazatin recently led the opening ceremony of the newly-renovated city-run Home for the Girls. It is a temporary residential facility which provides alternative form of family care to female children below 18 years old, victimized by abuse and exploitation. Located at the CSWDO in the City Hall compound, the totally renovated facilities include rooms with double deck beds, living and kitchen areas, mess hall, comfort rooms, and equipped with comfy furnitures. The open space at the old Home for the Girls has also been converted into a recreational area. “We are doing our best to meet the special needs of these children, and be able to provide psycho-social interventions to overcome their trauma and prepare them back to their families,” said Mayor Lazatin. The construction started last August hence Chief Adviser & Tactician IC Calaguas further expressed gratitude for the speedy completion and hardwork of the CEO led by City Engineer Don Dizon, which was accomplished in barely four months. To date, there are 15 girls who are under custody of CSWDO.
Salute to Mayor Pogi Lazatin, Vice-Mayor Vicky Vega-Cabigting and Members of the City Council, Chief Adviser Calaguas, Executive Assistant IV Reina Manuel, City Social and Development Officer Edna Joy Duaso, City Engineer Don Dizon, former City Councilor Chief Rudy Simeon of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, QMS Chief Chrysalene Cunanan and Economic Development and Investment Promotions Officer Irish Bonus-Llego who were in attendance during the formal opening.
BALE PUSU
The first-ever “home” for the homeless senior citizens in the city which has been opened last year. It is located in Barangay Sta. Teresita. “Ang Bale Pusu po ang magiging tahanan ng mga rescued homeless Lola natin. Maayos at kumpleto po ang pasilidad. Titiyakin po natin na maayos at kumpleto rin nilang mararamdaman ang alaga at pagmamahal ng siyudad para sa kanila. Ang inilunsad na Bale Pusu ni Mayor Lazatin ay magbibigay din po ng libreng vitamins at mga gamot para sa maintenance ng ating mga Lola,” Exec. Asst. IV Manuel assured.
BAHAY PAG-ASA
The Bahay Pag-Asa, also located in Barangay Sta. Teresita, is a transformation center that offers rehabilitation and intervention for children in conflict with the law (CICL), also supervised by the CSWDO. Children in conflict with the law are already victims of circumstance, mostly due to poverty and exploitation by adults. Children need access to rehabilitation services because they deserve a second chance. They need to be protected and not further penalized.
HANDS-ON APPROACH TO LEADERSHIP
Mayor Lazatin, together with other concerned offices, started the house-to-house distribution of P3,000 financial assistance, five kilos of rice and Vitamin C supplements to bedridden senior citizens. Apart from assistance, our bedridden elderly also receive free medical check-up and laboratory tests that will be provided by the City Health Office and Angeles City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.
It is a very valuable thing especially for our kids to be able to understand that at some point, we will all need a helping hand. Empathy, kindness and grace are key. The Angeles City government is an incredible local goverment unit and has partnered with private organizations and business leaders providing lifeline to Angelenos and even to non-residents particularly during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. These unselfish efforts are reminders to all of us, again especially to the city’s most vulnerable groups to appreciate all the blessings they have in their lives.
As a truly blooded Angeleno, I must say, we must help each other in times of need in any way we can such as donating blood, and these are perfect examples of leadership and best practices worthy of emulation by other government leaders from top to bottom. These incredible initiatives are offering potentially life-saving resources like education, health, shelter or just a place to shower, a table for a healthy meal or a roof over their shoulders particularly to those that need them most.
Life is getting harder brought about by inflation, tension and worldwide crisis but the sooner we start taking care of each other, the sooner we can get through this together as a city and as people. It’s going to take commitment from all of us to do the hard work that lies ahead.
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MUST-WATCH: The Mutya Ning Angeles 2022 Coronation Night is slated on December 08, 2022, to be held at the Grand Palazzo Royale, to be aired live by the City Information Office official Facebook Page, simulcast via iOrbitNews Online, GNN TV44 Pampanga, and BAP TV (Business At Iba Pa). The MNA 2022 is also co-presented by Beautéderm Corporation.
MUST-JOIN: Dugo Para Sa KaBrigada Blood Letting Drive organized by Brigada News 92.7FM in partnership with Jose B. Lingad Memorial General Hospital on December 10, 2022, 2nd floor near SM Applicance Center, SM Telabastagan, City of San Fernando, Pampanga, 8:00AM-3:00PM.
SHOUT TO: Team LALAV People’s Organization Madam Founder Russelle Ponce, President Lea Barantez, Vice President-Internal Bhot Ponce of Balibago; Vice President-External Kagawad Ed Dalusung of Sapalibutad; Treasurer Alex Buyao of Salapungan; Secretary Kathrina Gialon of Amsic; Auditor Kagawad Maura Lising of Sto Cristo; Board of Directors Kagawad Noel Samia of Pampang, Kagawad Alex Dallo of Cutcut, LUPAHO deputy chief Rowel Nava of Malabanias, CHO frontliner Idol Reden Tayag of Ninoy Aquino, PKLK’s Madam Pretty Woman Donya Linda Natac of Lourdes Sur East, city LGBTQ head Jhune Angeles of Malabanias, Ex-Kapitan Rey Malig of Salapungan, Ex-Kagawad Minda Navarro of Lourdes Sur, Senior Citizens President Jun Pacheco of Mining, and Kagawad Beth Cortez Pallasigue of Cutud, barangay coordinators and members. Central Luzon Media Association-Pampanga Chapter President Arnel San Pedro, and Kapisanan Ng Mga Brodkaster Ng Pilipinas-Pampanga Chapter President Boss Benny Guinto, its officers and members.