"WALA NGA mag-pa-pasko sa daan."
Thus said Angeles City Mayor Carmelo "Pogi" Lazatin, Jr, who affirmed his dedication in prioritizing the welfare and safety of residents this holiday season by conducting inter-office rescue operations of displaced families, homeless street children and mentally challenged individuals on December 23, 2020.
"This is the largest rescue operation of the year. It is our duty to help our kababayans in need because we don't want any kid or family wandering our streets, and spending the holiday season in it," Lazatin's Chief Adviser and Tactician Director IC Calaguas said.
Calaguas, together with Executive Assistant IV Reina Manuel led the four teams during the said rescue operations including members of the Gender and Development Officer Mina Cabiles and staff; Angeles City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office led by Rudy Simeon; City Social Welfare and Development Office headed by Edna Duaso and staff; Angeles City Economic Investment Promotions Officer Irish Bonus-Llego and staff; and members of the City Information Office (CIO).
"Bukod sa ayaw ni Mayor Lazatin na mag-Pasko ang ilan sa mga kababayan natin sa daan, ginagawa rin natin ito para maipatupad ang safety and health protocols laban sa Covid-19, partikular na ang pagbawas ng mga tao sa mga pampublikong lugar," Calaguas added.
All the rescued individuals from the said operation will undergo free rapid tests. Upon testing negative, they will then be returned to their homes, even those living outside Angeles City.
In case the rescued individual tested positive for Covid-19, the City Government will then shoulder their treatment at the Rafael Lazatin Memorial Medical Center.
Meanwhile, rescued homeless mentally challenged individuals, upon testing negative for Covid-19, will be transferred and treated at the Metro Pych Facility in Pasig. Once recovered, the City Government will also arrange for their safe return to their homes.
It can be recalled that even before the start of the pandemic, the city government has already conducted several rescue operations, specifically helping homeless street children and families, and mentally-challenged individuals return to their homes. (PR)