In his younger years, Ronald Mercado Bernante, or “Tata” as many call him, from Butuan City and of Cebuano heritage, worked tirelessly as a factory laborer to provide for himself and his family. He carried with him the simple dream of building a stable future through hard work, unaware that life would soon test his resilience in ways he never imagined.

At just 21 years old, his life took a devastating turn. While working at a plastic factory, his right arm was caught in a machine. The accident led to an amputation, changing the course of his life forever.

 

“I was just trying to earn a living when it happened,” Tata recalled.

 

“In a split second, everything I knew about myself changed. Losing my hand meant losing so many chances, but I had no choice but to keep moving forward,” he added

 

From then on, Tata was recognized as a person with disability (PWD), a label that brought with it not just physical limitations but also reduced opportunities for employment.

 

Despite the setback, Tata continued searching for ways to survive. Years later, a personal dispute with his younger sibling caused him to drift further apart from his family. Without a stable support system in Butuan, he decided to try his luck in Metro Manila in 2022.

 

But instead of the fresh start he had hoped for, Tata found himself enduring the harsh realities of street life. Without a home, he lived on the sidewalks of Quiapo. He scavenged, worked as a parking attendant, and patched together a meager monthly income barely enough to buy food and other daily needs.

 

“Every day was a struggle, sometimes I didn’t know where my next meal would come from. I told myself to endure, but deep inside, I felt lost,” he admitted

 

In time, Tata’s case came to the attention of social workers. On January 8, 2025, he was apprehended during a clearing operation for individuals in street situations and was referred to the Manila Boystown Complex. The facility provided food and shelter, but Tata longed for something deeper: to return to his true home.

 

“I was thankful to have food and a bed for a while, but my heart was never there,” he shared.

 

“I just wanted to go home.” Tata added with mix of sadness and relief etched across his face.

 

Unfortunately, after months of waiting, the transportation assistance he was counting on never came. On July 7, 2025, he requested to leave the facility. Attempts to reach out to his family revealed that they wanted him home but could not afford the fare.

 

Refusing to give up, Tata voluntarily approached the personnel of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Walang Gutom Kitchen in Pasay City, where he was later referred to the Pag-abot Program team. During his interview, he disclosed that he had no place to stay and expressed a strong desire to go back to his hometown.

 

“I told them, ‘I don’t have a house, I don’t have work, I just want to go back to Butuan,’” he said. His honesty and determination became the turning point.

 

Recognizing the urgency of his situation, Pag-Abot Program Caraga team initiated immediate intervention, coordinating with both his family and local authorities, including the City Social Welfare and Development Department (CSWDD) of Butuan City, which helped facilitate his safe return

 

At last, on August 18, 2025, Tata was formally reintegrated into his community in Purok 2-A, Barangay Kinamlutan, Butuan City. That day, he reunited with his mother, Alfonsa Mercado Amper, and stepfather, Godofredo Amper, finally leaving behind years of hardship on the streets of Manila.

 

“The moment I saw my mother again, I felt like a heavy burden was lifted. For the first time in a long while, I felt I was home,” Tata shared.

 

“I know I still have challenges ahead, but at least now, I am not alone. Pag-abot gave me the chance to start again, and for that, I will always be grateful,” he shared.

 

Tata’s case underscores the role of DSWD in addressing the needs of individuals in street situations through its Pag-abot Program. By coordinating with local authorities and families, the program ensures that vulnerable persons are not only rescued from unsafe conditions but also provided with structured assistance for reintegration.

 

As part of his reintegration package, Tata is set to receive a livelihood grant from the program. This assistance is designed to help him establish a source of income and reduce the risks of returning to street life.

 

Tata’s successful return to his home demonstrates how timely government intervention, coupled with community support, can restore stability, dignity, and support long-term recovery to prevent individuals from falling back into the cruelty of street life.

 

The Pag-abot Program of DSWD is a convergence initiative that reaches out to individuals and families in street situations (ISS) by addressing their immediate needs and helping them transition toward stability. It provides food, temporary shelter, medical aid, and other essential services while linking beneficiaries to social protection programs, livelihood opportunities, and community reintegration efforts. Ultimately, the program seeks to uphold dignity, protect rights, and promote long-term self-reliance for those living and working on the streets.