
PAMPANGA 1st district Rep. Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin Jr. has pledged to donate P100,000 from his personal funds to help the victims of the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that hit Bogo City, Cebu.
Lazatin has expressed his sympathy to the Cebuanos affected by the powerful tremor.
“Lubos ang aming pakikiramay sa mga kababayan nating Cebuanos at mga karatig na bayan na naapektuhan sa naganap na lindol,” said Lazatin.
The lawmaker said his constituents in Pampanga are offering prayers for those who lost loved ones in the disaster.
As of Thursday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported at least 70 fatalities and more than 200 injured in the quake, which caused several buildings, including heritage churches, to collapse.
The NDRRMC also said 22 structures were damaged, while one road and three bridges remain impassable.
“Ang Unang Distrito at mga Kapampangan ay ipinagdarasal na malampasan ninyo ang pagsubok at sa muli ninyong pagbangon,” Lazatin added.
The Pampanga lawmaker has a record of extending personal assistance during disasters.
In 2019, when a series of strong earthquakes struck Mindanao, Lazatin, who was then the mayor of Angeles City, donated a month’s salary amounting to about P175,000 for the victims.
Alongside Lazatin’s pledge, his chief adviser, Department of Transportation Assistant Secretary IC Calaguas, and chief political affairs officer Reina Manuel will each donate P25,000.
The Red Pillars Foundation led by Calaguas and Manuel will also contribute P50,000 to support Cebu relief operations.