ANGELES CITY – Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin Jr.’s administration has completed the installation of solar panels in all 33 barangay halls and various city government buildings — a landmark initiative aimed at promoting clean energy and reducing electricity costs throughout the city.
This initiative underscores Mayor Lazatin’s commitment to renewable energy, reducing electricity costs, and promoting environmental responsibility in the city.
“The installation of solar panels in all barangay halls and city government buildings is a significant step toward enhancing energy efficiency and ensuring uninterrupted services for our residents,” Mayor Lazatin said.
“This move not only reduces power expenses but also brings us closer to a greener, more self-sufficient Angeles City. By harnessing solar energy, we are lowering operational costs and contributing to a cleaner environment for future generations,” Mayor Lazatin added.
With only 91 days left until the end of his term as local chief executive, Mayor Lazatin vowed to continue working tirelessly to implement and deliver programs that will benefit Angeleños, ensuring that his administration’s commitments are fulfilled until his final day in office.
According to Engr. Giovanni Aquino, head of the City Engineer’s Office Electrical Division, the city government main building as well as the City Social Welfare and Development Office, and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Angeles City, City College of Angeles, and Belen Homesite Elementary School are now utilizing solar power.
The installation of solar panels for the Rafael Lazatin Memorial Medical Center and the City Library will follow suit, Aquino says.
For the barangay halls, Engr. Aquino furthered, the number of solar panels installed in each barangay were based on their energy consumption needs.
“We are assessing the electricity usage of each barangay to determine the appropriate number of solar panels,” Engr. Aquino explained. “The goal is to maximize efficiency—ensuring that solar power can support essential operations while reducing dependence on traditional energy sources.”
To date, Engr. Aquino said that 28 barangays have already had solar panels installed, while the remaining 5 are still in the process of installation.
Engr. Aquino added that the city government has ensured that trained personnel will oversee the installation and maintenance of the solar panels to maximize efficiency and durability.
To recall, the city government has first installed solar panels in the city hall building premises as well as solar lights in major thoroughfares. It also launched the first-ever solar powered public school not just in Pampanga, but in Central Luzon.
Mayor Lazatin has implemented various environmental programs, including a massive reforestation of the 560-hectare watershed in Barangay Sapangbato, the Bilis Walis street sweeper, and a tree-planting project in the Angeles City Watershed.
Mayor Lazatin also launched the ‘Walang Plastikan’ Plastic for Rice Program, supervised by his Chief Adviser IC Calaguas and Executive Assistant IV Reina Manuel.
In addition, it is through Mayor Lazatin’s initiative that the city has established a P41-million solid waste management transfer facility, enforced waste segregation, and built a wastewater treatment facility at the Pampang Public Market.
To promote sustainability, Mayor Lazatin also introduced ‘Pogi Ya Ing Barangay Ku,’ an inter-barangay competition on environmental management, peace and order, and disaster risk reduction.
