ANGELES CITY—Staying true to the legacy of his predecessors, Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin Jr. highlighted the significant accomplishments of his administration on health under his fourth year in office.
“Our administration continues to deliver non-stop services down to the grassroots level, slowly realizing our vision to create a better and brighter Angeles City,” Lazatin said during his State of the City Address (SOCA) on Thursday, June 29, 2023.
Specifically, he cited the city has allocated P557 million to health services for 2023 which includes the construction of Rafael Lazatin Memorial Medical Center, augmentation for the City Health Office (CHO), creation of the Renal Care Unit and procurement of medicines, including vitamin C for senior citizen.
Lazatin stated this has been the highest allocation the city government has made for health services which consists of more than 25% of its annual budget.
“The health and welfare of our citizens remain our utmost priority,” Mayor Lazatin added.
Another P70 million was also allotted for the repair of primary health care facilities in Barangays Pulungbulu, Sapangbato, Pulung Maragul, Cutud, Pampang, Anunas, Capaya, Amsic, Tabun, and Malabanias, which are to be accomplished in October 2024.
Additional city health doctors, dentists, midwives, nurses and med-techs were also hired to man the said facilities.
Mayor Lazatin also highlighted the construction of the seven-story Rafael Lazatin Memorial Medical Center, formerly known as ONA, to be in full operation in 2024 as P200 million was allocated for the purchase of the state-of-the-art hospital equipment.
“Records will show that a total of 70,000 patients a year are admitted and treated in ONA that is why it is imperative to improve its services and equipment,” Mayor Lazatin remarked.
In terms of its COVID-19 response, Lazatin said additional ambulances were procured to provide immediate assistance to COVID-19 positive patients.
“We have a total of nine ambulances operated by the Angeles City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Hindi po tayo titigil sa ating programa na dalhin ang ating serbisyong medikal sa inyong mga pintuan,” Lazatin said.
