Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin in recent pep talk with officers of the city employees association on their roles in anti-Covid-19 measures. Photo courtesy of AC-CIO
ANGELES CITY – While there are still no confirmed Covid-19 cases here, Mayor Carmelo Lazatin Jr. saw it fit to place the city under a state of calamity to ensure readiness against the coronavirus outbreak.
“Sa ngayon po, wala pong dapat ikabahala, huwag po tayong mag-panic. Wala pong coronavirus dito sa Angeles. But the safety of our constituents is our topmost priority. We will closely monitor to assure that the city is guarded against the virus,” Lazatin said.
Upon the request of Mayor Lazatin, the resolution for the declaration of a state of calamity was unanimously passed by the city council, headed by Vice Mayor Vicky Vega-Cabigting, through a special session on March 17, 2020.
Lazatin then thanked the city council for their support to assure public safety, which he said is their common goal.
Under a state of calamity, the Office of the Mayor is authorized to use the city’s Calamity and Quick Respond Funds for alternative procurement modalities in emergencies, such as negotiated procurement and shopping under Republic Act 9184, also known as Government Procurement Reform Act.
The purchase of “medical supplies, medical equipment, medicines, sanitation supplies, sanitation equipment, testing kits, personal protective equipment, ambulance or other emergency response vehicles, additional public transportation services to augment existing public transportation services, printing, and additional contractual services to augment the services of the Health Department” are allowed, Resolution No. 8592, Series of 2020 states.
“Ang pagdedeklara po nating ito ay makakatulong sa ating mga preparasyon na gagawin sa pagtiyak ng proteksyon ng bawat isa nating kababayan. Sa pamamagitan po nito, malalabanan natin ang Covid-19,” Lazatin said.
According to the mayor, the imposition and enforcement of price ceiling will be strictly implemented in the city. The said resolution also states that “the Angeles City Price Council shall ensure that all retail establishments within the city are complying with the price ceiling issued by the National Price Coordinating Council.”
Lazatin furthered that the Local Price Coordination Council will issue a list of commodities which will be monitored to prevent hoarding and price manipulation as well.
Earlier, Lazatin had already ordered business establishments here to not overprice and hoard products amidst the coronavirus scare. He said he will file legal actions against those who will violate the directive, in accordance with Memorandum No. 175, Series of 2020.
In addition, the Department of Trade and Industry recently warned establishments from profiteering and issued Suggested Retail Price for products.
With this, Lazatin said he will establish a special hotline to receive complaints on profiteering, hoarding, and other acts prohibited under Republic Act 7581 or the Price Act.
Also upon the directive of Lazatin, the Business Permit and Licensing Division will regularly and continuously inspect all establishments here to ensure all is in accordance with the rules and regulations set by the government.
The business permit of a business in violation, Lazatin added, will be suspended, until such time that corrective measures are implemented.
He said “goods sold in violation of this provision shall be seized immediately and distributed for the use of Angeles City Covid-19 Task Force to respond to this emergency.”
