ANGELES CITY — For two consecutive years, the city government here under the leadership of Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. has been awarded the Gawad Makabata for Local Chief Executive Category on November 22, 2023.
The award was conferred by the Regional Sub-Committee for the Welfare of Children (RSCWC) — Central Luzon during the 31st National Children’s Month Regional Culminating Ceremony.
Mayor Lazatin together with City Social Welfare and Development Officer Edna Duaso, and CSWDO Social Worker IV Francis De Guzman received the award for the city government at Good Shepherd Hall, SACOP Ephatha, City of San Fernando, Pampanga.
The RSCWC — Central Luzon commended the city government for having substantial contributions in ensuring the children’s right to survival, development, protection, and participation.
It can be recalled that the city also received the Seal of Child-Friendly Local Governance in the 2022 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 provided free school supplies and gear to all public school students and day care learners in the city.
Lazatin also established the Kanlungan ng Kabataan Reformation Center, a P50-million project that 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, Home for the Girls, and temporary shelters for homeless families and mentally-challenged individuals.
The center will comprise four buildings, housing 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.
