While the political landscape in Angeles City heats up between mayoral bets Alexander Cauguiran and Bryan Nepomuceno, let us delve on the plans and programs of Councilor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin Jr. which are anchored on his 6-point agenda for Angeles City.
Pogi Lazatin’s 6-point agenda will not rely on heavy borrowing and empty promises that apparently typified the Angeles City Council led by Nepomuceno and the majority members of the Council.
Pampanga province particularly Angeles City have prominently figured in President Rodrigo Duterte’s war against illegal drugs with the closure of shabu laboratories in Timog Park, Barangay Pampang; Hensonville Subdivision, in Barangay Malabanias and Villa Dolores, in Barangay Sto Domingo where chemicals used in the manufacture of shabu worth P1 billion had been discovered. Surprisingly, no big time shabu manufacturers had been arrested. Among other issues, the city needs overpasses to solve the heavy congestion plaguing the city streets, access to public health system so that residents will no longer go to the Jose B Lingad Hospital in far away City of San Fernando, waste management system, quality and affordable if not free education; and sports development. All of these without wasting precious money.
Firstly, Pogi Lazatin seeks to “ensure that Angeles City will be drug-cleared.” He seeks the establishment of functional Barangay Drug Anti-Drug Abuse Councils throughout the city’s 33 barangays; a community-based reformation center that will provide trainings and livelihood for drug law offenders; to encourage and mobilize SK officials to become active anti-drug advocates; and to implement a unified drug advocacy program for the youth.
Secondly, Pogi Lazatin wants the residents to have “access to better public health” system. He seeks to strengthen and revitalize the city’s rural health units to make the delivery of city health services more efficient and more accessible to the people; provide free mandatory annual physical examinations and other medical-related benefits for Senior Citizens of Angeles City; establish a Newborn Screening Center in Angeles City to ensure the effective implementation of Republic Act 9709, otherwise known as the ‘Universal Newborn Hearing Screening and Intervention Act of 2009”; improve rural health facilities, especially free medicines; and improve services and facilities of ONA, including the provision for medical supplies.
Thirdly, Pogi Lazatin wants a working “solid waste management” system. He wants strict implementation of ordinance banning the use of plastic bags and styrofoam; establishment of sanitary landfill in Angeles City; and promote waste segregation at source.
Fourthly, Pogi Lazatin wants education for all. He wants to provide free college education for underprivileged students by giving full subsidy to tuition fees of City College of Angeles (CCA); grant a ‘non-wage’ benefit to all public school teachers, in the form of free tertiary education at the City College of Angeles (CCA) for one of their dependents; proper use of the Local School Board Budget (LSB) fund without increasing Real Property Tax or Assessment; and maximize the use of LSB in: Purchase of additional land for schools; Construction of buildings; Purchase of educational equipment; and Purchase of school furniture and fixtures.
Fifthly, Pogi Lazatin wants youth and sports development. He seeks to develop a comprehensive youth and sports development program for Angeles City; tap schools to integrate sports and development program into their curriculum to discover athlete students with potential in the field of basketball, volleyball, table tennis, swimming, etc.
Lastly, Pogi Lazatin wants infrastructure support. He wants the construction of overpasses to ease traffic congestion; develop secondary road networks; and establishment of permanent and ideal public transport terminals.