DSWD Leads Family Week Celebration in the Bicol Region

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Regional Office 5 urges families to strengthen family relationships as the highlight of this year’s Family Week celebration from Sept. 23 to 29.

“We want to strengthen the relationship among family members to lessen social problems. The DSWD has programs including 4Ps to reinforce our values at home,” DSWD Bicol regional director Arnel Garcia said.

The DSWD responded to the call of the Civil Service Commision to join the launching of the celebration on September 23 by ringing the family bells at 12:00 in the afternoon and early dismissal from work at 3:00PM to allow employees to spend mealtime with their families in observance of the “Kainang Pamilya Mahalaga Day.”

According to DSWD Bicol information officer Jesseshan M. Aycocho, the DSWD has initiated family activities as the lead agency of thie year’s Family Week celebration.

“The DSWD will conduct threefold events on Sept. 27, 2019 at A & A Bed and Breakfast Inn, Legazpi City in partnership with the Provincial Local Government Unit (LGU) of Albay. Almost 150 participants from families all over the province of Albay will join the celebration,” she said.

The activities include the Parent’s Forum in the morning and Family Fun Day in the afternoon.

The Parent’s Forum will be highlighted by discussions on Positive Parenting by the DSWD and Child Safety at Home by the Department of Health (DOH).

Families will be given time to bond and have fun through games and contests at the Family Fun Day. A total cash prize of PhP63,890 will be given as prizes to the winners.

“Similarly, the Regional Winners of the 2019 Huwarang Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) will be recognized in the afternoon,” she added.

Palima Family of Nabua, Camarines Sur is the 2019 Regional Huwarang 4Ps. The family will receive P15,000 and plaque of recognition. They will represent the Bicol Region in the National 4Ps Family Day this weekend in Manila.

The Barceta Family of Catanduanes is the first runner-up with PHP 10,000 prize while the Perez Family of Sorsogon was adjudged second runner-up with PhP5,000.

On Sept. 30, members of the media in Albay will visit the Reception and Study Center for Children (RSCC) to witness the Family Day for the kids. A Forum on Adoption and Foster Care will also be done.

The theme of this year’s family week: “Tungo sa Maginhawa, Matatag at Panatag na Pamilyang Pilipino” envisions better initiatives to strengthen the Filipino Family.

The theme follows the Ambisyon Natin 2040 set forth by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) representing the collective long-term vision and aspiration of the Filipino people for themselves and for the country.

As mandated by Executive Order No. 238, the DSWD chairs the Regional Inter-Agency Committee on the Filipino Family (RIAC-FF) with different members from public and private sectors. The committee seeks to strengthen family unity and relationships through meaningful celebration and promotion of Family values.

It also aims to implement responsive services and popularize family-centric programs and services at the grassroots level. (SAA-PIA5/Albay)