ANGELES CITY — Four decades since its construction under former Mayor Rafael “Apung Feleng” Lazatin, the newly-renovated, first class Angeles City Library and Information Center in Barangay Sto. Rosario is inaugurated by a third-generation Lazatin mayorship.
On March 19, 2024, Angeles City Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr.led the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the newly-renovated P8 million City Library and Information Center.
“It has been an honor to continue my family’s legacy by overseeing the transformation of our library into a first-class facility, building on the foundation laid by my grandfather and my father’s vision, who first established and started the city library. It was during three generations of Lazatin that the city library was established and renovated,” Lazatin said.
The Angeles City Library was constructed during the mayorship of Mayor Pogi’s grandfather, Apung Feleng, on the lot donated by the family of Renato “Katoks” Tayag.
Meanwhile, it was Mayor Pogi’s late father, Carmelo “Tarzan” Lazatin, who initiated the first renovation of the city library in 2002, converting the three-storey building into a haven of learning.
Mayor Pogi was joined in the inauguration of the city library by Vice Mayor Vicenta Vega-Cabigting; Executive Assistant IV Reina Manuel; General Services Officer Evangeline Malonzo; City Librarian Erma Manalo, City Engineer’s Officer-in-Charge Helen Ayro; the heirs of Renato Tayag, Carmen McTavish and CJ Tayag; and librarians from Holy Angel University, Daisy Icban (College Department) and Marivic Pantig (High School Department).
The city library has had a full-face makeover — from its state-of-the-art technology that offers a wide range of resources to its amenities of spacious reading areas comfortable seating, computer working stations, and improved facilities.
“This initiative to renovate our library and transform it into a first-class facility is not just about modernization but also about providingaccess to knowledge, resources, and opportunities for our community, and preserve these for generations to come,” Lazatin furthered.
The renovation of the public library was supervised by Lazatin’s Chief Adviser IC Calaguas and Manuel, with the assistance of Malonzo and Ayro.
Calaguas said Angeleños may visit the city library from Mondays to Sundays, 8AM to 7PM, and it is for free. To date, the city library houses roughly 7,000 books.
“Our library caters a wide range of resources of all ages, even available for our out-of-school youth. Malaking tulong po ito para sa lahat, lalo na sa mga kabataan natin,” said Calaguas.
“We have our books, as well the computer working stations which they can use,” she added.
According to Manuel, aside from the renovated facilities, artworks from local artists who recently joined the city’s ‘on-the-spot painting’are also featured at the city library.
“Through our library, we are also helping our local artists to exhibit their work,” Manuel shared.
A total of 14 local artists have displayed their artworks in the library including Norman Tiotuico; Angelo Naguit; Aurellio De Guzman; Alvin Dungca; Joel Pabustan Mallari; Lloyd Dacayanan; Jeffrey Querido Gabatin; Raul “Pol” Del Mundo; Edu Perreras; Jascha Tolentino; Ailyn Gonzales; Ronald Buenacifra Jr.; Rolly Suba; and Edwin Catli.
“We are thanking Mayor Lazatin, ever since he assumed office, binigyan niya po ng pagpapahalaga ang ating library gaya po ni Apung Feleng at Apung Tarzan,” said City Librarian Erma Manalo.
“Napakahalaga po nito sa mga local government unit, dahil hindi po lahat ng cities at municipalities may library. Angeles City is very fortunate,” she added. “Since 2019 up to now, the allocated budget for the city library has been increasing.”
Manalo also said that one of the aims of Mayor Lazatin is to accommodate more library-goers, accepting people from all walks of life.
Also present during the ribbon-cutting ceremony are City Treasurer Jenifer Castro, City Budget Officer Jane Nakpil, City Accountant Lilibeth Enriquez, City Planning and Development Officer Engr. Nilda Quito, Angeles City Economic Development and Investment Promotions Officer Irish Bonus-Llego, Angeles City Tourism Office Head Anneleen Antonio-Sugui, and Angeles City Anti-Drug Abuse Council Head Ricky Saul.
The inauguration of the city library coincides with the second anniversary of Kapebaluan, the city-run coffee shop created to promote and market “Kape Angeleño” — coffee beans locally-grown in Barangay Sapangbato.
Kapebaluan is located at the ground floor of the Angeles City Library building.
