Since 2011, Lolo Francisco Casas, now 64, has been selling religious items in Quiapo, Manila. He earned only enough to  provide for his own needs, which is why going back home to his sister’s house in Dasmariñas City, Cavite became very rare and difficult.

According to Lolo Francisco, his last visit to his family was in 2017.

But. finally, after several years of living alone on the streets of Manila, Lolo Francisco is now at home with his sister and the rest of his family.

Last December 17, through the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD)  Pag-abot Program, Lolo Francisco was reintegrated to his family through the efforts of the social workers and staff from the Haven for the Elderly and the city government of Dasmariñas.

As such, Lolo’s wish for Christmas has come true–”gusto kong makabalik sa kapatid ko at sa mga apo ko.”

Being reached out on the streets of Manila

In 2012, Lolo Francisco moved to Ermita, near the Archdiocesan Shrine of Nuestra Señora De Guia Parish, to avoid the clearing operations being conducted in the Quiapo area which affected street vendors like him. 

In Ermita, he continued to sell religious items and still stayed on the streets. His earnings were just about the same and he still slept on the sidewalk.  He survived mostly through feeding programs in the area.

Last February 28, 2024 though, when the social workers under the DSWD’s Pag-abot Program found him sleeping on the sidewalk, he was immediately reached out and provided with interventions.

The Pag-Abot Program, institutionalized through Executive Order No. 52 of the current administration, is a platform for the delivery of services to take street dwellers and other vulnerable individuals off the streets and help them be productive members of the society.

Through the said program, Lolo was referred to the Haven for the Elderly, a facility managed by the DSWD Field Office IV-A in Tanay, Rizal that provides care to senior citizens who are abandoned, neglected, abused, and/or unattached.

According to Jordan Cortez, a social worker in the Haven for the Elderly, Lolo Francisco has been very diligent and cooperative throughout his stay in the center.

“He is independent and can manage his daily activities, including his grooming and keeping his bed clean. He requires minimal supervision and follows instructions,” shared Cortez.

He added that Lolo participates in all activities inside the center, and he also shows care about his health as he takes his prescribed medications and participates in all medical and eye checkups.

Lolo’s wish for Christmas

At the Haven for the Elderly, residents like Lolo Francisco are also managed for potential reintegration to their families or relatives.

“During individual sessions, Lolo expressed his desire to go home to his sister and grandchildren in Dasmariñas City. He even wishes to spend Christmas with them,” shared Cortez.

As such, the social workers at the Haven for the Elderly coordinated with the city government through the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO).

The CSWDO conducted interviews with and assessments of Lolo Francisco’s sister, who is very much willing to accept and care for him. As part of the preparation of Lolo Francisco’s reintegration, the CSWDO and the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs also assessed his needs and worked towards planning for necessary aftercare services with the family.

Last December 17, Lolo Francisco was accompanied by Jordan Cortez and other staff of the Haven for the Elderly to his sister’s home in Dasmariñas City. He was gladly welcomed by her sister’s family and representatives of the city government.

Through the partnership of the DSWD and the city government, Lolo Francisco’s family will be continuously monitored by the CSWDO. The DSWD, on the other hand, has provided additional support to Lolo and his family including a month’s supply of medicines, financial assistance for his other needs, and livelihood assistance. These assistance would ensure that Lolo Francisco would remain healthy, his family would have enough means to support Lolo’s needs, and more importantly, Lolo Francisco would no longer have any reason to go back and live in the streets of Manila.
With a happy heart, Lolo Francisco is now home with his family just in time for Christmas.# [with reports from JYCortez]