The Office of the City Social Welfare and Development has worked out the case of an elderly vagrant man found wandering along Marcos Highway.
OCSWD Acting Head Liza Bulayungan said the client referred to as lolo Fernando was transported back to San Fernando City in Pampanga last Oct. 11 accompanied by CSWDO Silungan Center Head Annie Alngangeo, CSWD Unit 3 Social Worker Mangay Docallas, and driver Engel Dominguez.
He was reunited with his nephews with whom he was staying before he strayed to Baguio.
When a netizen reported lolo Fernando’s hapless condition in Bakakeng Central on Oct. 7, the CSWDO immediately sought him out and with the assistance of the BCPO Station 10, he was brought to the hospital psychiatry ward for consultation and possible admission.
When asked, he identified himself as Fernando.
In a report, Docallas said since he exhibited no violent behavior, he was recommended for regular appointment.
The client was referred to the emergency room for medical checkup and rapid antigen test as he was to be referred for temporary shelter at CSWDO-Silungan Center.
At 9 p.m., lolo Fernando was discharged from the hospital after he was certified as fit for shelter and with the assistance of BCPO Station 8, he was transferred to Silungan Center.
While at the center, the client was provided with home life service and house parents bathed him as he was unclean and smelly.
“Staff members tried to talk to him but no one can understand the words he was saying,” Docallas said.
Following leads, his case was coordinated with CSWDO San Fernando, Pampanga on Oct. 10 and they confirmed lolo Fernando was their client before and that his relatives are residing in San Pedro barangay.
Arrangement for his immediate turnover was done until his transport.
“It was gathered that he used to work as a waiter abroad but got involved in a vice and was later abandoned by his family. He was diagnosed with a mental condition before and when he got well, he was discharged to his nephew. Unfortunately, lolo Fernando kept on leaving their home and preferred to roam around the city,” the case report said.
The CSWDO San Fernando City committed to locate lolo Fernando’s family and will work out for the family’s reunification, Docallas said. – Aileen P. Refuerzo
April 27, 2024
