For eight long years, the concrete sidewalks and bustling streets of Mandaue City served as the only home for Pedro Amosco. His journey, which began with hope at age 22, culminated in a heartfelt reunion with his family in November 2025, thanks to a government intervention program.
A Dream Deferred: From Hope to Homelessness
Pedro arrived in the city full of determination, believing hard work would secure a better future. Like many Filipinos who leave their provinces, he sought opportunity. However, the job he found was not lasting. When his income stopped, his stability vanished. With nowhere to go, he initially stayed with a friend, working as a cook in exchange for shelter.
This precarious arrangement ended when his friend married, forcing Pedro back onto the streets. Without family to rely on or capital to restart his life, he was left with no choice. For the next eight years, he survived day-by-day as a cobbler, mending old shoes to earn a meager living. The kindness of a local business owner who allowed him to rest on the premises provided some relief, but the longing to return home never left his heart.
The Turning Point: DSWD's Pag-abot Program Intervenes
The trajectory of Pedro's life changed when he was encountered by the Pag-abot Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office 7. This initiative is designed to help individuals and families living on the streets through appropriate interventions. For Pedro, the team's arrival marked the fulfillment of his long-held hope to return safely to his family.
On November 17, 2025, the program successfully facilitated Pedro's official return to his family in Barangay Lamac, Pinamungajan, Cebu. The emotional reunion ended many years of separation. He was joyfully welcomed by his sisters, Lucia Amosco Esrame and Ambrosia Amosco Rosario, as well as his niece, Rutela Amosco Manalag.
A New Chapter Begins With Family and Support
Pedro's family emphasized that he would be safer and better cared for with them than alone on the streets. They pledged their full support, love, and emotional care to help him reintegrate into the community. Beyond the reunion, Pedro received financial assistance and livelihood support from DSWD 7, providing a foundation for his new beginning.
Today, Pedro Amosco no longer faces the dangers and loneliness of street life. He is now in a home, surrounded by family, supported by his community, and strengthened by the Pag-abot Program to restart his life with dignity and renewed hope. His story highlights the critical impact of targeted social welfare programs in changing lives.
