MABALACAT CITY – Thirteen years ago, on July 21, 2012, the people of Mabalacat voted on what would be the culmination of a year-long battle for cityhood – a battle initiated by then Pampanga 1st District Rep. Carmelo “Tarzan” Lazatin on May 25, 2011, when he filed House Bill No. 04736, “An Act Converting the Municipality of Mabalacat in the Province of Pampanga into a Component City to be known as Mabalacat City.”
After its filing, Cong Tarzan hurdled a year-long scrutiny of the bill by his peers in the 15th Congress.
The bill was approved on Second Reading on May 31, 2011, and later approved on Third Reading on June 6, 2011, with 241 “Yes” votes from the members of the House of Representatives.
On June 13, 2011, the bill was transmitted to the Senate and passed on Feb. 7, 2012. The Conference Committee report was ratified on March 6, 2012 by the House, and approved by the Senate on March 7, 2012.
On April 25, 2012, it was transmitted to then-President Benigno S. Aquino III. Finally, on May 15, 2012 – a full year after it was filed by Cong Tarzan – Republic Act 10164 was enacted into law.
A month later, on July 21, 2012, the people of Mabalacat were called on to decide on their fate via plebiscite. Out of 19,542 residents who voted, 14,078 (72%) voted for cityhood.
On July 23, 2012, the results of the plebiscite were published in the Official Gazette Vol. 108, No. 30, Pg. 3633 – Mabalacat is a City, Cong Tarzan’s hard work had come to fruition.
Today, exactly 13 years later, Cong Tarzan’s namesake and son, Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. – now serving as the incumbent Pampanga 1st District Representative – looks back on his father’s legacy for the city of Mabalacat.
“The cityhood of Mabalacat is one of the greatest legacies he could have left for the First District of Pampanga. It opened the doors for development in Mabalacat, and with that comes a ripple-effect for its nearby areas,” Cong Pogi said.
Now that he has assumed his father’s mantle, Cong Pogi vows to make strides in working towards further development, not only in Mabalacat City, but for the whole First District of Pampanga. “
“I stand on the shoulders of a giant,” said Cong Pogi, “My father has laid the groundwork, and I am determined to continue his work and serve the First District of Pampanga to the best of my ability.”
Press release
