Angeles City, Pampanga — The newly elected mayor of this city has issued his first executive order, suspending private water utilities and water districts from collecting environmental or septage fees from residents.

Mayor Carmelo B. Lazatin II signed Executive Order No. 2025-001 on 1 July, 2025, declaring: “All private water utilities and/or water districts are ordered to cease and desist from collecting the Environmental Fee/Sepage Fee from the citizens of Angeles City.”

The order takes effect immediately.

Speaking before the 20th Sangguniang Panlungsod, Lazatin explained that EO 2025-001 aims to temporarily halt the implementation of ordinances related to septage and water management, pending amendments to better serve the needs of Angeleños and the business sector.

The decision, he added, seeks to ease the financial burden on residents while allowing for a more in-depth study on environmental protection and the needs of the city.

Councilor Jeselle Dayrit said the ordinance review is part of the city government's broader efforts to ensure urban development and improve quality of life for local families.

The executive order also directs the city’s accredited service provider, Soliman Septic Tank Disposal, to “cease and desist from conducting desludging/siphoning activities… until further notice.”

It further mandates all implementing agencies, departments, and offices involved in enforcing the related ordinances to suspend their operations.

Among the suspended laws is City Ordinance No. 487, Series of 2019, which requires all business establishments in Angeles City to have their septic vaults siphoned and vacuumed annually.

City Ordinance No. 640, Series of 2022, meanwhile, introduced a P5 per cubic meter septage or environmental fee for desludging and treatment services for all establishments.

City Ordinance No. 697, Series of 2023 expanded these regulations by imposing a minimum monthly charge for water consumption at 10 cubic meters and a maximum of 35 cubic meters. It also required an annual P10 septage fee for desludging and siphoning services for establishments consuming between 50 and 150 cubic meters of water monthly.

Lazatin said the city will conduct a full reassessment of these regulations to ensure their fairness, necessity, and alignment with current public needs.