After 20 years of being away from his loved ones, an elderly was finally able to find his way back home.

Thanks to the Pag-abot Program, the newest flagship program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), which once again demonstrated its commitment in reintegrating families and individuals in street situations (FISS) back to their respective communities.

On March 5, Dionisio Alcantara, 68, was reunited with his family in Barangay Palong in Malasiqui town of Pangasinan after being away from home for 2 decades.

Dionisio Alcantara, or Tatay Dionisio as he was fondly called by the Pag-Abot team, was reached out by the program in Marikina City last October 2023 as part of its continuous implementation.

After the reach out operation, Tatay Dionisio was endorsed for temporary shelter in a DSWD-run facility for the elderly while his family is being located in coordination with the concerned local government unit (LGU).

“While waiting for his return to his family, Tatay Dionisio was temporarily sheltered at a facility for the elderly, where he received initial services and support,” Asst. Secretary for Strategic Communications Romel Lopez said.

The reintegration was successfully done by the Pag-Abot team in coordination with the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) of Malasiqui.

“Through its regional counterpart, the DSWD Field Office-1 (Ilocos Region) will visit Tatay Dionisio for the conduct of assessment for the provision of his package of services,’ Asst. Sec. Lopez, who is also the DSWD spokesperson, said.

“We are happy to have played a role in reuniting Tatay Dionisio with his family after such a long period of separation. This heartwarming reunion is a testament to the dedication of our Pag-Abot team and the unwavering commitment of DSWD to serving the needs of our fellow Filipinos,” Asst. Sec.Lopez said.

The Pag-Abot Program, under the leadership of Secretary Rex Gatchalian, was institutionalized through Executive Order No. 52 series of 2024 issued by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to help, support, and protect individuals and families living in the streets by providing them with appropriate interventions.

Under the program, the reached-out individuals and families are provided with various programs and services such as, but not limited to, Pag-abot Grants, and Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS), while others are referred to DSWD-run Centers and Residential Care Facilities for temporary shelter ang long-term care.

Asst. Sec. Lopez emphasized that the Pag-Abot Team will continue to monitor the situation of Tatay Dionisio to ensure smooth and full reintegration with his relatives, and to identify other possible interventions to be given. #