Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. has been awarded back-to-back Gawad Makabata for Local Chief Executive Category.
The award was conferred by the Regional Sub-Committee for the Welfare of Children (RSCWC) — Central Luzon on November 22, 2024 at City of San Fernando, Pampanga.
It can be recalled that Mayor Lazatin also received the same award in 2023 while the city government was awarded in the local government unit category in 2022.
The RSCWC — Central Luzon commended the city government for having substantial contributions in ensuring the children’s right to survival, development, protection, and participation.
In 2022, the leadership of Mayor Lazatin was also conferred with Seal of Child-Friendly Local Governance in the Child-Friendly Local Governance Audit of the Department of the Interior and Local Government.
Angeles City garnered a 92.46 rating in the said audit ranking.
Ever since Mayor Lazatin took office in 2019, children’s welfare has been a priority program of the city government.
One of the main priorities of Mayor Lazatin is “No Angeleño youth will be left behind in terms of education”.
With this, the city government continues to provide free school supplies and gear to all public school students and day care learners in the city.
Mayor Lazatin also announced during this year’s State of the Children’s Address the construction of three additional computer laboratories at Governor Rafael Lazatin Memorial High School in Balibago, Governor Rafael Lazatin Integrated School in Sapalibutad, and Malabanias Integrated School.
Last August 2024, Mayor Lazatin inaugurated four other computer laboratories at Angeles City National Trade School, Angeles City National High School, and Northville 15 Integrated School.
Lazatin also established the Kanlungan ng Kabataan Reformation Center, which aims to provide shelter and rehabilitation for homeless individuals and support youth in need of care and guidance.
The Kanlungan ng Kabataan Reformation Center serves as a multifaceted facility, encompassing the Bahay Pag-Asa, Sagip Batang Solvent Reformation Center, and temporary shelters for homeless families and mentally-challenged individuals.
The newly-built center also comprises a training center, a classroom for alternative learning systems, recreation areas, mess halls, and dormitories.
The center will collaborate with the Department of Education to provide an alternative learning system and enlist the assistance of TESDA for training programs.
Part of the flagship programs of Mayor Lazatin is to look out for the welfare of kids especially those in dire need.