(CNN Philippines) – Last March 20, a 40-year-old security guard from Albay found – and returned – a plastic envelope with P1.188 million worth of cash and check inside.
Noel Lorilla, a Criminology graduate and a resident of Barangay Sipi in Daraga, Albay, was on duty as a security personnel of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Regional Office 5 at around 6 a.m. when he found a thick envelope – which belongs to the local government unit of Prieto Diaz, Sorsogon – placed on top of the table near the office’s hallway.
Lorilla said he never expected the envelope to be full of money as he thought there were only documents inside it at first. He was checking the envelope for an identification card when he saw the money inside and decided to immediately surrender it to the management.
The money was to be used as financial assistance to Social Pension beneficiaries under the DSWD that gives a monthly assistance of P500 to indigent senior citizens.
The exemplary honestly shown by Lorilla, meanwhile, was commended by the DSWD during a simple rites held last April 13.
DSWD Regional Director Arnel Garcia praised and handed Lorilla a certificate of commendation for his honesty and truthfulness in service. He said Lorilla is a clear manifestation that despite hardships, there are still people who remain honest.
