More than 100 individuals joined the kickoff event of the Family Week Celebration today at Albay Astrodome. This aims to emphasize the appreciation and development of the family as the cornerstone of our country. Likewise, it wants to communicate the importance of having quality time with the family.

Legazpi City— The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region V and its partners celebrate the 26th Family Week by hosting series of activities this month of September adopting the theme: “Tungo sa Maginhawa, Matatag at Panatag na Pamilyang Pilipino”.

The said theme follows the Ambisyon Natin 2040 of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) that embodies the ambitions of the Filipino families for the next 25 years.

Earlier, the Regional Inter-Agency Committee (RIAC) on Filipino Family members officially launched the Family Week with a fun walk from Bicol University grounds to Albay Astrodome followed by a Zumba for the participants.

Dir. Arnel Garcia who joined the kickoff event today emphasized that any family can withstand shifting environments if they have built strong foundations.

He said that DSWD alone cannot eliminate poverty without the help of the poor families who are willing to make their lives better.

“We need to muster our efforts, the government agencies, private organizations and the people, to break the inter-generational cycle of poverty,” Dir. Garcia said.

On the other hand, he also thanked the RIAC member-agencies for their efforts to organize the Family Week events.

The national government agencies that are present earlier in the opening program were Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Audit (COA), NEDA, National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM), Population Commission (POPCOM), Philippine National Police (PNP) and two faith-based organizations, namely, Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints, Seventh Day Adventist.

Also, a Family Forum is scheduled on September 27, 2018 at FICC Amphitheatre, BU East Campus, Legazpi City with 200 individuals who will receive lectures and discussions about the following topics: Addiction Recovery for Families, Migration and Families, Issues in Families with Aging Members, Child Safety at Home and in the Community and Family Friendly Laws.

The Dionisio Family of Labo, Camarines Norte will be awrded during the said forum as the Regional Winner for this year’s Search for Huwarang Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). They will receive a plaque and PhP15,000.00 cash prize.

Every year, the Family Week is celebrated every fourth week of September. This is based on Presidential Proclamation No. 60 signed by former president, Fidel V. Ramos on September 28, 1992. It aims to emphasize the appreciation and development of the family as the cornerstone of our country. Likewise, it wants to communicate the importance of having quality time with our family.

The RIAC on Filipino Family was formed as the regional counterpart of the National Steering Committee chaired by DSWD. The steering committee develops plan and implements programs and activities in public and private sectors for Family Week observance. The committee is also tasked to raise the awareness of every Filipino in the issues facing the Filipino family and its effect on each member.