DSWD leads celebration of National Family Week

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will hold activities highlighting the importance of family relationships in times of disasters in celebration of the National Family Week from Sept. 20-26.

Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman said that activities aim to encourage the strengthening of “family unity and relationships, especially for those families who went through difficult times because of the series of disasters.”

The National Committee on the Filipino Family (NCFF), chaired by the DSWD and composed of other government agencies, non-government organizations and religious groups, will spearhead the celebrations.

Among the activities lined up is the Third Family Conference on Sept. 24 in Valenzuela City. Family advocates from government agencies and civil society organizations will gather to discuss issues such as family disaster preparedness, child pornography and influence of drugs in the family, among others.

To recognize model Filipino families, the Huwarang Pamilyang Pilipino Awards will be held on Sept. 26 also in Valenzuela City.

Culminating the event is a Family Day Caravan on Sept. 28 at the Philippine Sports Arena in Pasig City from 10 a.m. to 12:00 noon. The caravan will gather family-beneficiaries of the Conditional Cash Transfer program of the national government.

The National Family Week is a yearly celebration pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 60 signed on Sept. 28, 1992 and Executive Order No. 241 dated June 9, 1995.

The NCFF also supports the observance of the Kainang Pamilya Mahalaga Day every fourth Monday of September as declared by Presidential Proclamation No. 326 signed by President Aquino in January 2012. It enjoins all family members to spend mealtime together.