ANGELES CITY — It took 26 years for Anastacia Malquista to finally be reunited with her mom, Teresita Alvarez, 67, who has been staying at the city’s Bale Pusu for four months.
“Buong akala po kasi namin ay nagta-trabaho ang aming ina sa loob ng 26 na taon. Kaya nagulat po kami ng ibalita sa amin ang tungkol sa kanya,” Malquista shared.
Alvarez, a resident of Zambales, was rescued from the streets by the Angeles City Government, as part of the program of Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. to ensure the welfare of displaced families, the homeless, street children, and mentally-challenged individuals.
“Masaya po ang siyudad na makatulong sa mga pamilyang nawalay sa isa’t isa sa mahabang panahon. Ito rin po ang isa sa mga rason bakit natin isinusulong ang mga ganitong mga programa,” Mayor Lazatin said.
After four months, the city has finally brought Alvarez to her daughter in Zambales, through the City Social Welfare and Development Office led by Edna Duaso, on February 16, 2022.
“Malaki po ang pasasalamat namin dahil kinupkop niyo po ang aking ina. Hindi po siya napahamak dahil inalagaan niyo po siya,” Malquista said.
“Kahit po hindi siya taga Angeles, hindi po kayo nagdalawang-isip na alagaan si Nanay. Maraming salamat din po sa paghatid sakanya. Wala po kasi kaming kapera-pera para sunduin siya,” she added.
Alvarez is the second resident at Bale Pusu.
The Bale Pusu, home for the female homeless elderly, was inaugurated on September 2021, a flagship program of Mayor Lazatin, supervised by Chief Adviser IC Calaguas and Executive Assistant IV Reina Manuel.