Life on the streets is unforgiving, especially for an elderly individual trying to care for her young dependents.

Laureana Fernandez experienced this harsh reality firsthand. Laurena and her grandchildren ended up sleeping on the cold streets of Davao City after a promised job opportunity fell through.

The hardship began when Laurena traveled to the city with her grandchildren, hoping to secure work. However, the plan quickly fell apart.

“Bali na reach out po yan sila ni ma’am Fernandez dito sa Davao po kasama ang mga apo nya. Pumunta po kasi sana siya ng Davao para puntahan yung pagta trabahuan niya pero nung andito na po sya sa Davao, di niya na po ma-locate yung area na sana pag tatrabahuan nya kaya yun po napilitan silang sa kalsada dahil wala rin silang pamasahe pauwi sa kanila,” Social Welfare Officer (SWO) Micheleth Rivera said.

The desperate situation of homelessness came to an end with the promise of a fresh start, through the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Pag-abot Program.

The Pag-abot Program is an initiative designed to reach out to vulnerable individuals, families, and children in street situations.The activity aims to provide necessary interventions, facilitate safe returns to their home provinces, and offer livelihood assistance to ensure long-term community reintegration.

Through the Pag-abot Program, social workers successfully assisted the stranded family. The Department facilitated their safe return to Barangay Zone I, Santa Cruz in Davao del Sur.

Returning home was only the first step. To guarantee a sustainable future and prevent a return to vagrancy, the Pag-abot Program granted a livelihood assistance package worth Php25,000 to Laurena on May 7, 2026.

The financial support enabled her to start a small sari-sari store and manage personal income.

“Malaki ang pasasalamat ko sa Pag-abot Program dahil nabigyan kami ng kabuhayan. Hindi ko akalain na matutulungan ako ng DSWD,” Laureana said.

With the newly acquired capital, Laurena now has a concrete way to establish a sustainable small business.

The grant serves as a crucial lifeline, replacing previous uncertainties with a reliable means to support the entire household.

“Ngayon, mayroon na kaming mapagkukunan para sa aming pang-araw-araw na pangangailangan. Ang tulong na ito ay para sa buong pamilya kaya iingatan namin ito at pagsisikapang mapalago,” Laureana said.

Through Pag-abot, a grandmother was able to find a helping hand in raising her grandchildren away from the dangers of the streets and in protecting her from the vague promise of a job. (KI)