Following the fire that engulfed the Pampanga Public Market the previous night, Pampanga First District Representative Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin Jr. has asked the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to allot P300-million for the reconstruction of the said market.

“Babangon muli ang Pampang Public Market,” Lazatin stated, as he directly reached out to DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon to request that funding for Pampang Public Market be included in next year’s budget.

“Nakikiramay at nakikiisa ako at ang aking tanggapan sa mga vendors at kanilang  pamilya, gayun din sa kanilang mga trabahante sa naganap na sunog sa Pampang Market,” Lazatin said, adding, “Kasama po ninyo ako sa inyong pagbangon.”

Earlier today, Lazatin conducted an inspection of the Pampang Public Market together with DPWH District Engineer Cezar Abella and Engr. Sheryl Faustino to assess the damage to the market.

Lazatin asked the DPWH to coordinate with the City Engineer’s Office to ensure that repair and reconstruction of the market is carried out at the soonest possible time.

Lazatin also said that he immediately coordinated with his brother, Angeles City Mayor Carmelo “Jon” Lazatin II, to help the city in rebuilding Pampang Public Market.

“Ang Pampang Market ay hindi lang simpleng palengke, parte ito ng araw araw na buhay ng bawat Angeleño at lahat ng mga nakatira sa karatig bayan na namamalengke rin dito,” Lazatin said.

It can be recalled that during his time as Angeles City Mayor, Lazatin spearheaded the construction of the P400 million modernized new building of the Pampang Public Market, which was inaugurated on November 29, 2024.

The new building replaced the original market, which was also destroyed by a fire in 2020.