ANGELES CITY, Pampanga – “Pogi tamu ngan pu.”
Thus said Almario Jimenez, President of the Federation of Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (FEDTODA), as he declared the support of the transport sector in the city for the candidacy of re-electionist Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. and Team Lazatin during a meeting on November 18, 2021 at the Best Western Hotel in Barangay Balibago.
“Ita pung gana-ganang suporta, meg-pandemic ikit yu pu makananu nakatamung sinuportan ning kekatamung mayor, anya pin pu hanggang ngeni, hanggang bukas, hanggang datang panaun – Pogi tamu,” Jimenez said.
At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, among the hardest hit was the transport sector due to the long periods of lockdown.
To provide support to the ailing transport sector, the City Government under the Lazatin administration distributed relief goods and financial assistance to jeepney and tricycle drivers.
“Ikami kanita atsu kami kabila pero ikit mi naman pu nung makananu nakatamung tinggap ning kekatamung mayor,” said Jimenez, “Adwa pung gamat tinggap nakatamu, kinaul nakatamu.”
Also present during the meeting were re-electionist Vice Mayor Ma. Vicenta “Vicky” Vega-Cabigting and the entire slate of Team Lazatin councilor-aspirants – incumbent City Councilors Joan Crystal “JC” Aguas, Marino “Niknok” Bañola, Joseph Alfie Bonifacio, Raco Del Rosario, Danilo “Dan” Lacson, Jesus “Jay” Sangil, and Atty. Arvin “Pogs” Suller; as well as new hopefuls Rodelio Mamac Jr., Aaron Pineda, and Christopher Joseph “CJ” Ponce.
Pampanga First District Representative Carmelo “Jon” Lazatin II, who is running for a third consecutive term unopposed, was unable to attend the meeting due to a prior engagement.
All attendees during the meeting underwent antigen testing via Quest Diagnostics prior to entering the venue.