ANGELES CITY — Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin Jr. swiftly ordered the evacuation of all city government offices following a magnitude 5.1 earthquake felt at around 12:17 PM on May 27, 2025. The epicenter of the quake was recorded in Quezon Province, but its tremors were strong enough to be felt throughout Angeles City.
City Hall employees were immediately guided out of the building as part of the city’s standard safety procedures. Mayor Lazatin emphasized the importance of readiness and rapid response in protecting lives during natural disasters. “The safety of our employees and constituents remains our top priority,” he said.
Lazatin personally oversaw the implementation of evacuation protocols, working closely with key officials at the city’s command post. He was accompanied by Executive Assistant IV Reina Manuel, Angeles City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer (CDRRMO) Rudy Simeon, and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) — Angeles City Director Yvette Cosio.
The CDRRMO swiftly activated its monitoring and emergency response systems to assess potential damage and coordinate with national agencies. No significant structural damages or casualties were reported in the city as of this writing, thanks in part to the rapid and organized evacuation efforts.
Emergency response teams remained on standby across various areas in the city while inspections of buildings and critical infrastructure were conducted. Lazatin commended the preparedness and discipline of employees and responders, highlighting the value of regular earthquake drills and public awareness campaigns.
Director Cosio of the DILG praised the city’s immediate action and assured continued coordination with higher authorities should aftershocks or further developments arise. “This is an excellent example of how local governments should respond during emergencies,” she noted.
Mayor Lazatin urged the public to remain alert and follow official updates from the city government. He reiterated the importance of disaster preparedness and assured residents that the local government is equipped and ready to respond to any emergency that may occur.
Source: Angeles City Information Office
