ANGELES CITY – Mayor “Pogi” Carmelo Lazatin Jr. is calling for a stricter implementation of protocols against COVID-19, as he addressed residents of the city.
He is also encouraging his constituents to practice discipline among themselves, saying self-quarantine is the best way to help the city government in battling COVID-19.
This, after the city experienced a surge in the number of COVID-19 positive cases, with 37 new cases being confirmed in just a span of one week. Angeles City currently has 53 active COVID-19 cases, making the total number of reported COVID-19 cases in the city to 100.
In order to prevent further rise in numbers, Mayor Lazatin ordered barangay officials, the local police, and city government officials to reinforce the use of Face Masks and Quarantine Passes, and that residents caught in violation will be reprimanded.
“Simula ngayong Lunes, August 3, lahat ng lalabas ng bahay na walang face mask at quarantine pass, pagmumultahin o ikukulong,” he stressed.
An emergency meeting was held earlier by members of the Barangay Affairs and Public Assistance Center, together with 33 barangay captains, City Councilor Atty. Arvin Suller, Department of the Interior and Local Government City Director Martin Porres Moral, City Social Welfare and Development Officer Joy Duaso, Angeles City Tourism Auxiliary Chief Michael Lising, and Angeles City Police Officer City Director PCOl. Joyce Patrick Sangalang to discuss Mayor Lazatin’s orders for stricter implementation of the guidelines set by the Local Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.
Mayor Lazatin also warned parents who would be caught endangering the lives of their children.
“Kakasuhan din po natin ang mga magulang na isasama at ilalagay sa peligro ang kanilang mga anak. Huwag nyo pong hayaan na maglaro sa labas o tumambay sa labas ang inyong mga anak. Bawal po yan,” Lazatin added.
Mayor Lazatin also appealed to the public to avoid social gatherings, citing this as one of the main reasons for the recent swell in COVID-19 cases.\
“Marami sa bagong aktibong kaso natin, nakipag-inuman, nakipag-birthday, naki-pamiesta, at dumayo sa handaan sa ibang lugar,” he said.On the same day, Mayor Lazatin ordered the closure of all videoke renting stalls in the city, in order to prevent possible social gatherings.
Furthermore Mayor Lazatin urged Angeleños to do their part in helping the spread of the virus, by reporting people who are committing violations of the city’s COVID-19 safety protocols.
“Hinihikayat ko po ang aking mga kababayan na isumbong ang sinumang makita nyo sa labas na walang suot na face mask, walang quarantine pass, at lumalabag sa ating protocols,” he said.
Towards the end of his address, Mayor Lazatin called for unity during the time of the pandemic, appealing to Angeleños to help the city government.
“Hindi ko po kakayanin mag-isa ang laban sa COVID19. Huwag po natin pairalin ang katigasan ng ulo at simulan po natin ang disiplina sa ating mga sarili. Magkaisa at magtulungan po tayo para sa kaligtasan ng lahat,” he said.