Tarzan roars again in barangay election win

ANGELES CITY — Veteran politician Carmelo “Tarzan” Lazatin has been voted chairman of Barangay Balibago, an entertainment area of this highly-urbanized city.

Lazatin, a former Pampanga first district congressman and an ex-city mayor here, defeated Tess Mamac, wife of outgoing village chief Rodelio “Tony” Mamac, who emerged as first councilor.

Lazatin, who was supported by an influential religious group, garnered 4,294 votes while Tess Mamac only got 3,787 in the unofficial and partial tally.

Lazatin, who will turn 84 years old this June, earlier vowed to implement health, education, and infrastructure programs if he will be given a chance to serve as chairman of Barangay Bal i bago.

“One of our programs first of all is health. We should have sufficient [supply] of medicines [for the poor people],” he said in the vernacular.

Lazatin also mentioned the need to institute programs to upgrade all public schools in terms of education quality, physical structures and others.

The local government must provide scholarships to “poor but deserving students,” according to Lazatin.

On infrastructure, the former mayor and congressman stressed that barangay roads and drainage systems need to be rehabilitated.

“Those are the three programs which I think are important,” Lazatin said.

When asked about peace and order and illegal drugs, he pointed out that Balibago should be a crime and drug free barangay.

Lazatin’s two sons, Carmelo “JonJon” Lazatin, Jr. and Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. also hold elective government positions as Pampanga first district congressman and Angeles City councilor respectively.