Every December, the air changes. The cold breeze gently sweeps through the streets and lanterns glow softly in windows and alleyways, bringing warmth and hope to many Filipino families.
Yet, for countless individuals and families living outside the margins, the glow of Christmas lights is not always enough to ease the coldness of struggle.
For Randy Marcaida and his family, this was once a painful truth.
Randy owns a small vulcanizing shop, doing everything he can to provide for his children. But life was unforgiving, especially during the pandemic– prices soared, work was scarce, and what little he earned was stretched thin.
There were days he could not give even small allowances, days when he saw disappointment in his children’s eyes– survival, not celebration, defined their Christmases.
Everything changed when Randy discovered his son had been enticed by other children into begging on the streets – far from home and far from safety. The moment he realized what had happened shook him deeply.
“Kasi minsan kapag sinabi ko sa anak ko na wag kang aalis, sinisimplihan ako kapag may ginagawa, ayon tatakbuhan ako, paglingon ko wala na,” Randy said.
Randy went to the barangay to understand what happened and learned that his son had been taken as part of a group of children begging outside a convenience store– he confronted his son with both fear and love.
“Pinagsasabihan ko lang po, sabi ko ano bang dahilan kung bat ka namamalimos. Ang sabi niya, niyaya daw siya. Kung may kailangan kang pera umuwi ka sa akin, hindi naman kita dadamutan e, anak kita e.” Randy said.
When the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Pag-abot program intervened and brought his son in for documentation and support, Randy’s fear was overwhelming.
“Lalo po nung dinala siya ng DSWD sa ano, natakot ako e sa sobrng kaba ko e, anak ko yun eh,” Randy shared.
But the assurance from the barangay eased his worry. “Sabi naman sakin ng barangay, gagawa lang daw ng report doon saka ID, gumaan ang loob ko,” he added.
That moment marked the beginning of change. His son’s behavior improved, and hope slowly returned to their home.
Through the DSWD’s Pag-abot program, Randy’s family began receiving assistance that helped sustain their daily needs. The support allowed them to cover school contributions, small daily expenses, and even maintain the humble vulcanizing shop that became their steady source of livelihood.
The Pag-abot Program, which was started by the DSWD in 2023, was institutionalized through Executive Order (EO) No. 52 in January 2024. Through Pag-abot, DSWD provides interventions to help families and individuals in street situations (FISS) return to their homes or places of origin and to their communities.
Christmas, once a heavy and uncertain time, transformed into something bright again. With the newfound stability provided by the program, Randy could finally say yes to his children’s wishes– something he had long hoped for.
“Nag request yung anak ko, tara pasyal tayo, malayo pa lang November pa lang pinag-uusapan na mamamasyal daw sa Pasko, sabi ko ‘No problem,” he said. They planned a long-awaited family trip to the Mall of Asia on Christmas Day, a simple joy that had once seemed impossible.
Randy even invited his children from Olongapo City to celebrate with him, confident that he could now welcome them without worry.
The Pag-abot program did more than ease financial strain– it restored dignity, strengthened family bonds, and brightened a Christmas that once felt dim. It gave Randy the chance to be the father he always wanted to be.
“Nagpapasalamat po ako sa DSWD na nagbigay sa akin ng tulong, hindi lang po sa akin, para sa mga anak ko, malaking bagay po sa araw araw namin nakakakuha ng pantustos sa pamilya ko, at may negosyo pa hanggang panghabang buhay,” Randy said.
This Christmas, the lights shine a little brighter for the Marcaida family– not because the season has changed, but because hope has finally found its way home. (KI)
