Tarzan Lazatin, former solon, dies at 84
MABALACAT CITY — Carmelo “Tarzan” Lazatin, a former representative of Pampanga and a mayor of Angeles City, died of cardiac arrest yesterday morning. He was 84 years old.
Families and friends mourn the death of Lazatin, one of Pampanga’s political icons.
His two sons, Pampanga First District Representative Carmelo “Jon” Lazatin II and Angeles City Councilor Carmelo “Pogi”Lazatin, Jr. issued a joint statement on their father’s demise.
“Today, we loss a great public servant and a loving father,” they stated.
Carmelo Feliciano Lazatin served as Pampanga first district representative from 1987 to 1998, Angeles City mayor from 1998 to 2007 and Pampanga first district representative from 2007 to 2013.
He succumbed to cardio-pulmonary failure secondary to hepatorenal and hepatopulmonary syndrome and endocarditis on December 12 at exactly 7:40 am.
Known to many as “Tarzan,” he left behind his wife, Iluminada, children Ma. Theresa, Janet Rita, Carmelo Jr., Leiah, Cludelle, Pamela, Carmelo II, Ma. Christina and Camille.
Tarzan was known to be the father of resettlement centers in the first district of Pampanga, being instrumental to the creation of resettlement centers such as Mawaque Madapdap in Mabalacat, Epza in Angeles City and San Isidro and Sta. Lucia in Magalang.
He was also the father of Mabalacat City, having authored Republic Act 10164, an act converting the Municipality of Mabalacat in the province of Pampanga into a component city to be known as Mabalacat City.
Tarzan was first Angeles City mayor to be elected for three consecutive terms.
It was also during his term that Angeles City was able to provide affordable housing to 15,000 families, computerized all revenue generating offices and attained the ISO certification in 2002. Angeles City was then the first ISO local government unit outside Metro Manila.
His remains will be cremated. Viewing will be announced.