After months of challenges and uncertainties trying to find a decent living, Jocelyn Silaras, 39, is finally back in her home in Mandaue City, Cebu. Her journey, marked by struggle and resilience, is a testament to the power of hope and second chances.
Jocelyn’s life took an unexpected turn after failing to secure employment in Metro Manila, leaving her without income or housing. With nowhere else to go, she sought shelter in her brother’s barracks in Rosario, Pasig. However, company policies prevented her from staying there long-term.
Despite her relentless efforts to find employment, doors remained closed, and savings depleted. When her brother relocated to Palawan, Jocelyn was left homeless, forced to sleep on the streets, where she constantly feared for her safety.
Determined to change her circumstances, she found hope in the Pag-abot Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) through the Walang Gutom Kitchen, where she initially found food security.
The Pag-abot Program aims to uplift vulnerable sectors, including children, families, and individuals in street situations, by providing essential social support and interventions tailored to their needs. This initiative also strives to enhance the well-being of each beneficiary, empowering them to transition toward a stable, dignified, and productive life.
Through Walang Gutom Kitchen, the department’s initiative that offers food assistance to vulnerable sectors, especially homeless people, Jocelyn learned about the possibility of returning to her hometown with proper support. With their help, she was provided with temporary shelter while processing her documents, transportation assistance, and the means to reunite with her family.
On March 19, 2025, Jocelyn stepped off the plane. She was escorted back to Mandaue City, where her 54-year-old live-in partner, Maximo Manabo, and their son, Mj Silaras, 19 years old, warmly welcomed her. Their long-awaited reunion was filled with embraces, marking the end of three months of separation and worries for her safety and security.
For Maximo, the moment was overwhelming. He expressed gratitude to the program for helping his family complete once again.
Now that Jocelyn is back home, she is subject to further assessment by the DSWD 7 Regional Program Management Office team of the Pag-abot Program for possible livelihood assistance as part of their social protection package.
This assistance aims to help reintegrated individuals regain financial stability by providing them with resources and opportunities to start a small business or gain employment. If granted, the Pag-abot team will handle the procurement of needed items and materials to realize their approved business plan, which would mark another milestone in her journey toward a self-sufficient and secure future.
For the first quarter of 2025, the Pag-abot Program has already reintegrated a total of seven (7) beneficiaries in the local government units Mabini and Inabanga, Bohol, some in Asturias, Cebu City, Mandaue City, and Toledo City in Cebu Province, and Mabinay, Negros Oriental.
All seven (7) beneficiaries have completed their documentary requirements for their available social protection packages and will soon be scheduled to receive the aide starting in April 2025.
The Pag-abot Program has been instrumental for many individuals like Jocelyn, offering aid and a chance to rebuild their lives with dignity. As she settles back into the warmth of her family, Jocelyn looks forward to a fresh start, knowing she is not alone in her journey. ###
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