For over two months, every unfamiliar face, every message from relatives, and every reported sighting carried a flicker of hope for Mrs. Rosalie of San Francisco, Agusan del Sur. Her eldest son, Reymar, had once again left home, but this time, he traveled farther than ever before. Through the efforts of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Caraga Pag-abot Program, that long and painful search finally came to an end.

At 33 years old, Reymar, despite his mental health condition, was known in their community not for causing trouble, but for his quiet kindness and willingness to work. He spent his days helping in warehouses, covering motorcycles and vehicles with cardboards, assisting as a dispatcher, or taking on any small task that allowed him to earn even a little income.

“He does not like being idle,” his mother shared. “He always wants to do something so he can help us.”

As the eldest among six siblings, Reymar carried an unspoken sense of responsibility toward his family. Though his parents never required him to work, he constantly searched for ways to contribute to their daily needs. His mother recalled how he would sweep the yard, clean the house, or volunteer for community work programs whenever opportunities arose.

But Reymar also had a history of wandering away from home. In previous years, his travels were usually confined within nearby areas in Caraga, and eventually, he would return. This time was different.

In February 2026, Reymar left home and eventually made his way to Cebu, leaving his family anxious and uncertain about his whereabouts. Rosalie and their relatives searched tirelessly for him. By the last week of the month, Reymar was reportedly already in Cebu City after staying at his brother’s residence, and Rosalie was immediately informed of the situation by her brother.

Back home, Rosalie continued working as a Small Town Lottery teller, earning just enough to support their daily needs alongside her husband, a tricycle driver. Beneath the financial hardship was a deeper burden carried quietly by a mother who feared for the safety of her son.

“When he comes home after leaving, his clothes are often torn and dirty,” she recalled. “But no matter how long he is gone, we never stop hoping he will come back.”

That hope finally became a reality when the DSWD Caraga and Region VII, through the Pag-abot Program and in coordination with the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) of San Francisco, initiated efforts for Reymar’s safe return to his family.

Then came May 25,2026, Reymar was finally brought home.

For the family, Reymar’s return was more than a reunification, it was the restoration of peace after weeks of fear and longing.

Despite the challenges brought by Reymar’s condition, his mother never wavered in her commitment to care for him. She openly shared her dream of finding sustainable livelihood opportunities suited to his abilities, work that would allow him to stay close to home while continuing the sense of purpose he deeply values.

Rosalie believes that Reymar’s desire to work comes from love for his family. Even amid his personal struggles, he continues to think of ways to help provide for them.

For Rosalie, the long wait is finally over. The uncertainty that once filled their home has been replaced with renewed hope; hope that Reymar can rebuild his life surrounded by the care, acceptance, and support of the family that never stopped searching for him.