Santos Cascayan Jr., a councilor from Dumalneg, Ilocos Norte, was found safe after going missing for several days while collecting rattan in the mountains.

Cascayan went to the mountains on Saturday, September 21, 2024, to gather rattan for making baskets.

During his trip, heavy rain caused him to get lost.

Before his cellphone battery died, he managed to call his family to inform them he was in trouble.

The local government quickly launched a search and rescue operation, but bad weather made it difficult to locate him.

On September 25, he was finally found in a remote barangay in Vintar.

Residents had offered him food and water.

Cascayan said he survived on fruits while lost in the wilderness.

The Dumalneg local government picked up Cascayan promptly, and after a medical examination, he was reported to be in good condition.