THE National Committee on the Filipino Family (NCFF), chaired by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), celebrated the 28th National Family Week on Sept. 21-27, 2020.
The event’s theme was “Tungo sa Maginhawa, Matatag at Panatag na Pamilyang Pilipino (Toward a Convenient, Stable and Assured Filipino Family).”
The National Family Week is an annual celebration held every fourth week of September pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 60 issued on Sept. 28, 1992.
For this year’s celebration, the NCFF adopted the sub-theme, “Mapagkalingang Pagtugon at Proteksyon sa Bawat Pamilyang Pilipino Mula sa Mga Suliranin sa Gitna ng Pandemyang Covid-19 (A Caring Response and Protection to Each Filipino Family’s Problems Amid Covid-19 Pandemic),” which emphasizes the importance of providing Filipino families with compassionate response on economic shocks and protection from violence in the midst of the public health emergency caused by the coronavirus disease 2019.
The sub-theme is also an appeal to all concerned agencies and organizations that they will be relentless in the work of strengthening and promoting the unity, solidarity and stability of the Filipino family, especially that the family sector faces many social problems amid the health crisis—unplanned pregnancies, loss of jobs and livelihood, mental-health problems and gender-based violence, among others.
Activities
The National Family Week celebration officially started on Monday, Sept. 21 with a nationwide ringing of bells dubbed as “Ring a Family Bell” that was simultaneously done at 9 a.m. in all government agencies as a symbol of nationwide awareness and commitment to commemorate the solidarity and unity of the Filipino family.
A virtual kick-off was also aired via the DSWD Facebook page on the same day.
In support of the Family Week, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, an active member of the NCFF, held an online Interfaith Family Forum on Wednesday, Sept. 23 that tackled different topics concerning the family.
Meanwhile, the City of Manila, the host local government unit for the 28th National Family Week, conducted a webinar in partnership with Philippine Educational Theater Association on Thursday, Sept. 24, focusing on strengthening family relationships through responsible parenting and positive discipline.
On Saturday, Sept. 26, the Commission on Population, another active member of the NCFF, hosted a talk show that tackled the myths and misconceptions on family planning to help address the issue of unplanned pregnancies during the quarantine period.
Aside from these activities, the NCFF also utilized various online platforms to promote the celebration and to advocate for stronger and protected Filipino families through the #ProtekadongPamilyaSaCOVID-19 social media campaign.
Using the hashtag, NCFF members posted ways on how families can keep their families safe, protected and intact amid the pandemic, and how they are helping families nationwide cope with the impacts of the crisis.
Eating meals together
The NCFF also encouraged Filipino families to observe the Kainang Pamilya Mahalaga Day, a yearly celebration held every fourth Monday of September pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 326, series of 2012.
Held in conjunction with the annual celebration of the Family Week, the Kainang Pamilya Mahalaga Day emphasizes the importance of having a common family meal to encourage parents to stay connected with their children and understand the challenges they face.
A common family meal also provides an opportunity to enhance family communication and serves a venue where members can express affirmation of each other and share a positive experience of joy and love.
As the lead agency in social protection and as chair of the NCFF, the DSWD recognizes the importance of strengthening and promoting family unity and stability to build a solid and united Filipino society.
The DSWD, together with all the members of the NCFF, will continue to work together to uphold the values of Filipino families and to support and empower them to withstand the many issues and challenges they face, especially in the midst of the pandemic, so that they can come out of the crisis as a stronger unit.