Lazatin asks utility companies for bill payment extension

Posted on March 16, 2020 by Admin

ANGELES CITY - Mayor Carmelo 'Pogi' Lazatin, Jr. has addressed a moratorium request to utility companies, as the spread of COVID-19 continues to impact workers and businesses here.

A moratorium is a legal authorization to debtors to postpone payment, or a temporary prohibition of an activity.

Mayor Lazatin is appealing to Angeles City Water District, Balibago Waterworks System Inc., Angeles Electric Corporation and Converge ICT, to give a thirty-day extension on the payment of bills of his constituents, especially those from vulnerable communities, to help them during this health crisis. Moreso, due to the temporary closure of several business establishments amid COVID-19 threat.

"I understand that we have been affected by this COVID-19 pandemic, particularly our livelihood, but what we are doing is just the measures being undertaken by the City Government to address the said disease," he said.

Mayor Lazatin further said that part of the efforts to prevent the spread of the virus in the community, is also to ensure that families will be able to have basic needs at home. Apart from assuring their public safety, the Mayor said he wants the welfare of his constituents to be prioritized and protected.

"We are already struggling. During this outbreak, families should have necessary utilities and basic needs at home. Let us work together to overcome this challenge faced by the country," he said.

The Angeles City Government intensified its safety measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 here.

Chief Adviser and Tactician IC Calaguas recently discussed the systematic response for suspected COVID-19 cases at the barangay level.

To date, there are no recorded cases of COVID-19 in the City. Should there be individuals experiencing symptoms such as fever, cough, cold, and shortness or difficuly of breath, you may contact the following 24/7 hotlines of the City Government - (045-322-7796 (landline); 0917-851-9581 (Globe) and 0998-842-7746 (Smart).

Secondly, Calaguas said that upon receiving the call, the Quick Response Team (QRT), Barangay officials or the Barangay Health and Emergency Response Team (BHERT), and members of the Angeles City Police Office will head to the location within 3 to 15 minutes.

Once at the location, the patient will be put under house quarantine together with all members of the household whom he or she had contact with.

"If confirmed positive for COVID-19, the patient will be taken out of the house and transferred to the container van facilities installed near the Rafael Lazatin Memorial Medical Center (RLMMC)," she said.

Meanwhile, according to Executive Asst. IV Reina Manuel, Mayor Lazatin already inspected the said container van. He also ordered the purchase of face masks, biohazard suits, and other medical equipment including COVID-19 testing kits to ensure that the city is ready amid the current state of public health emergency.

Upon the transfer of the patient, the house will be disinfected and the family will continuously be monitored by the QRT.