ANGELES CITY — Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr.’s ‘Tulong Balik-Tahanan’ program is making strides in reuniting mentally-challenged individuals, as four individuals have been successfully claimed by their loved ones to date.
One notable case is Estanislao Melgar of Nueva Ecija, who had been missing for 30 years.
In a Facebook comment by her niece, Celine Melgar, she wrote that their family has been looking for Estanislao for so long, and had lost hope to locate him, even accepting the fact that they won’t be able to find him.
“Ako po ay pamangkin ni Estanislao Melgar. Kapatid po siya ng aking ina, at matagal na naming hinahanap ang tiyuhin ko. Sa tagal ng panahon, nawalan na kami ng pag-asa na muli pa siyang makita,” Melgar said. “Tinanggap na po namin sa aming sarili na hindi na namin siya mahahanap. Kaya’t ang balitang ito ay isang malaking biyaya para sa aming pamilya.”
Through Mayor Lazatin’s initiative, and upon seeing the post via Angeles City Information Office Facebook page, this is a blessing for their family that changed and fueled their hope once again to meet and hug their Uncle.
“Maraming salamat po, Mayor Lazatin, dahil sa inyong malasakit at butihing puso. Dahil sa inyo, nagkaroon kami ng pag-asa na muling mayakap at makasama ang nawawalang kapatid ng aking ina. Kaytagal na po naming hinanap siya, at ngayon, sa inyong tulong, natagpuan at natulungan siya. Lubos po ang aming pasasalamat sa inyong pagkalinga at pagmamalasakit,” Melgar also wrote.
Aside from Melgar, Renato Bituin from Mining, Angeles City, reunited with his sister Theresita Baliwag; Irene Mallari from Pandan, Angeles City, reunited with her sister Analinda Galang; and Michael Mijares from Sto. Rosario, Magalang, reunited with his sister Michel Mijares.
Jelica Baliwag, niece of Bituin, also said in her comment that they have been searching for him for a long time, worried, and did not know where to find him.
Baliwag expressed her family’s thanks to Mayor Lazatin for his program, helping and keeping him safe.
“Tito ko po siya, at matagal na namin siyang hinahanap. Salamat sa Diyos at ligtas po siya. Nag-aalala na po kami dahil hindi namin alam kung saan siya hahanapin. Maraming salamat po sa inyong tulong, lalo na po kay Mayor Lazatin,” Baliwag said.
A nephew of Mallari also wrote in a Facebook comment, “Tita Irene, nakita ka rin. Miss na miss na miss na kita.”
Two of the four individuals, Bituin and Mallari, have already been safely returned to their families, while the other two, Melgar and Mijares, are scheduled to reunite with their families on Saturday, January 25, and Wednesday, January 29.
Mayor Lazatin has also pledged to continue providing their monthly medication as part of his ongoing commitment to their well-being.
It can be recalled that Mayor Lazatin initiated the Integrated Mental Health Care Program in 2019, wherein the Gender and Development Office headed by Mina Cabiles; City Social Welfare Development Office; Angeles City Tourism Auxiliary and Angeles City Barangay Outreach both headed by Mike Lising rescue mentally-challenged individuals found on the streets and provides free medical care for them.
Chief Adviser IC Calaguas, who is overseeing the program with Executive Assistant IV Reina Manuel, said that of the 208 individuals admitted to healthcare facilities, 109 have been discharged and reunited with their families through the CSWDO in different parts of the Philippines.
Unfortunately, Calaguas furthered, eight individuals passed away and were buried at the Angeles City public cemetery in Barangay Sapalibutad, as no family members came forward to claim their remains.
Mayor Lazatin is still asking the help of the public to locate the families of the remaining 87 mentally-challenged individuals who are still in custody of the city government’s partner facilities.
“Muli po, kung kakilala niyo po ang mga nasabing mga indibidwal, makipagugnayan lamang po sa tanggapan ng GAD at CSWDO sa numerong 0935-211-7513,” Lazatin urges. “Hangad po natin na maiuwi sila sa kanilang kanya-kanyang pamilya.”
