BACOLOD CITY – An 81-year-old woman who went missing and presumed dead for 39 years recently reunited with her family in Zamboanguita, Negros Oriental.
AN 81-year-old woman (seated right) reunited with her family in Zamboanguita, Negros Oriental on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 39 years after she went missing in 1985. (Photo courtesy of DSSD)
Richelle Verdeprado-Mangga, head of the Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD)-Bacolod, in a media interview, said that the senior citizen went missing in 1985 when she left their house.
Her family tried to find her, but failed, until they later presumed she was dead due to his mental state.
Mangga said that the woman was rescued from the streets of Barangay Cabug on Nov. 15, 2024 by the City Anti-Mendicancy Task Force of the DSSD.
She was referred to a shelter in Barangay Vista Alegre here where DSSD has been providing her with home care, health monitoring, and emotional support.
Mangga said that through the help of social media, they were able to reach her family, and was brought back home on Tuesday, Jan. 7.
She said that they coordinated with the Zamboanguita Social Welfare and Development Office for verification.
This remarkable reunion shows the power of compassion and collaboration and reaffirms our commitment to advocating for the worth and dignity of every person, the DSSD said.