ANGELES CITY – Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin Jr.’s ‘Tulong Balik-Tahanan’ program has achieved a major milestone, successfully reuniting four mentally-challenged individuals with their families. One of the most remarkable cases involved Estanislao Melgar from Nueva Ecija, who had been missing for 30 years. His family had long given up hope of finding him. Estanislao’s niece, Celine Melgar, expressed gratitude, explaining how they had accepted that they may never see him again. The news of his reunion brought a renewed sense of hope to their family.
Through the initiative of Mayor Lazatin, the Melgar family was finally able to locate Estanislao. After seeing a post from the Angeles City Information Office on Facebook, they were overwhelmed with emotion. Celine thanked Mayor Lazatin for his dedication and compassion, stating that the reunion was a tremendous blessing for their family. The Melgars eagerly awaited the moment they could embrace Estanislao once more, something they had long feared would never happen.
In addition to Estanislao Melgar, three other individuals were successfully reunited with their loved ones through the ‘Tulong Balik-Tahanan’ program. Renato Bituin from Mining, Angeles City, was returned to his sister, Theresita Baliwag; Irene Mallari from Pandan, Angeles City, was brought back to her sister, Analinda Galang; and Michael Mijares from Sto. Rosario, Magalang, was reunited with his sister, Michel Mijares. Their families, who had been desperately searching for years, were deeply thankful to Mayor Lazatin for making these reunions possible.
Jelica Baliwag, the niece of Renato Bituin, shared how her family had been desperately searching for him, unsure of where he had gone. She expressed relief and gratitude for the mayor’s efforts in keeping her uncle safe and ensuring that he would finally return home. The family was overjoyed to have him back, especially after such a long period of uncertainty.
A similar sentiment was expressed by a nephew of Irene Mallari, who posted a message on Facebook upon learning that his missing aunt had been found. “Tita Irene, nakita ka rin. Miss na miss na kita,” he wrote, conveying the deep emotional relief his family felt after years of separation. Such messages highlight the powerful impact of Mayor Lazatin’s program on the lives of those affected.
Currently, two of the four individuals have already been successfully returned to their families—Renato Bituin and Irene Mallari—while Estanislao Melgar and Michael Mijares are scheduled to reunite with their families soon. Melgar’s reunion is set for January 25, while Mijares will be reunited with his family on January 29. As part of the program’s ongoing commitment, Mayor Lazatin has also pledged to continue providing their necessary medical care, including monthly medication.
The ‘Tulong Balik-Tahanan’ program is part of the larger Integrated Mental Health Care Program that Mayor Lazatin initiated in 2019. The program involves a partnership between the Gender and Development Office, City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), and other city departments to help rescue mentally-challenged individuals from the streets and provide them with medical care. So far, 208 individuals have been cared for, with 109 successfully reunited with their families. However, 87 individuals remain under the program’s care, and Mayor Lazatin is asking for public assistance to help locate their families.
Mayor Lazatin continues to call on the public to help locate the families of the remaining individuals in the care of the program. “If you know any of these individuals, please contact the GAD or CSWDO at 0935-211-7513,” he said. “We are determined to bring them back to their families as well.
