Despite struggling with illness and barely making ends meet, 64-year-old Jesus Caneng of Barangay Pantal, Dagupan City did not hesitate to return P200,000 in cash he found on a busy street.

Caneng, a fish vendor at the Magsaysay Fish Market who earns from a small commission, was getting a haircut on AB Fernandez Avenue when he heard someone react.

“Sabi nung babae, ‘Uy, pera!’ Narinig ko. Yung pera nasa tapat ko pala. Akala play money, pera pala,” Caneng said.

With the help of barangay officials, the incident was reported to police, and the large sum of money was returned to its rightful owner.

Caneng’s honesty didn’t go unnoticed.

“Proud na proud po ako. Matapat at maaasahan po siya,” Joan Melendez, Caneng's niece, said.

“Proud kami dito dahil may mga tao pa palang ganun na mabuting puso na hindi siya nasilaw,” Jam Javier, the barangay councilman, said.

Caneng broke into tears during an interview, saying he only did what was right.

“Yung pera na ‘yun, may mas nangangailangan. Kaya naisip ko ‘yun,” he said.

“Hindi natutulog ang Diyos kaya kailangan gumawa ng kabutihan sa lahat ng pagkakataon,” he added.

Barangay Pantal has pledged to honor Caneng with a certificate of appreciation.

“Bigyan namin siya ng certificate of appreciation dahil siyempre alam mo na, maganda ‘yung ginawa niya dito sa barangay. Nagiging huwaran siya,” Julita Perez, the Barangay Chairperson, said.