Honest garbage collector returns P500k he found in trash can

A garbage collector, despite his own needs, turned over to authorities half a million pesos he found in a trash can, according to a report on Unang Balita on Monday by Victoria Tulad.

Emmanuel Romano was collecting trash inside a subdivision in Baliuag, Bulacan when he found a plastic bag.

When he opened it, he found P500,000 in cash.

After his work day was done, he went to the barangay office to turn over the money.

"Kinabahan po ako nu'ng nakita ko po 'yung pera. Hindi ko po muna dinampot. Tapos po tinabi ko po muna sa isang gilid. 'Di ko po muna pinakita sa mga kasamahan ko," Romano said.

Romano's newborn baby is sick and they live in a shanty. Despite his needs, he did not think twice about turning over the money to authorities.

"'Di ko po ininteres 'yung pera na 'yun na ikakayaman po namin. Kaya po ginawa ko po, sinurrender ko na lang po," Romano said.

The owner of the money was full of gratitude for what Romano did. According to her, her husband threw the plastic bag thinking it was garbage.

She said they will make sure Romano's child will get medical attention. They will also give financial assistance, she added.

"Sana po tayo ay maging matapat, unang-una sa sa sarili natin at siyempre, maging matapat po tayo sa tao. Nakita po natin 'yung nangyari sa kanya. Sa katapatan po niya napakarami pong biyaya ang darating sa kanya," barangay captain Joel Miranda said.

Miranda added that they will increase the salary of Romano and have his house done. —KG, GMA News