Butuan City- The Department of Social Welfare and Development celebrates the Pantawid Pamilya National Family Day and Convergence Caravan last September 28, 2014 at the Provincial Capitol Covered Court, Butuan City, Agusan del Norte.
Steered with the theme, “Pamilyang Pilipino Para sa Pagbabago: Tumawid sa Kaunlaran”, Pantawid beneficiaries in Butuan City and 15 Pantawid Huwarang Pamilya across the Region convened to show to other beneficiaries how their lives have changed due to the aid and assistance afforded by the program.
The said event was participated by 5,000 plus Pantawid beneficiaries, members of the Regional Inter-Agency Committee, City Social Welfare and Development Office and all staff from the field office.
In the event, Regional Director Minda B. Brigoli has emphasized the importance of the conduct of the activity. “National Pantawid Family Day is significant and timely as we give recognition to the efforts of Pantawid Pamilya partner-beneficiaries in improving their lives through and with the program,” Brigoli shared.
Also, Brigoli highlighted in her message how the beneficiary had used all available possible means in order to uplift their level of wellbeing. “Our activity today is a perfect avenue for the beneficiary to get along with other beneficiaries. Now, you have all the chance to mingle and talk with one another the challenge you have faced and the story on how you have succeeded.”
Along with the Pantawid Pamilya National Family Day and Convergence Caravan is the Simultaneous National Launching of the “Kaya Ko ang Pagbabago Campaign”. This activity brings the message that partner beneficiaries have become empowered and has learned to recognize their own strengths, skills, and capacities to move on and forward to a brighter future with the help of the programs in the DSWD.
“In launching the campaign, we would like to bring into the façade the message that Pantawid Pamilya families have indeed stepped up and worked hard at achieving positive developments and changes in their own lives underlining that DSWD is only there to guide every Pantawid beneficiary and become an instrument to reaching the life of quality aimed by every Filipino Family,” Brigoli expressed.
Kaya ko ang Pagbabago Campaign accentuated that with the right opportunities given, poor families can help themselves into becoming achievers and productive members of society.
In consonance to the Simultaneous National Launching of the campaign are activities like Fun Walk, awarding of Huwarang Pamilya and Best Family Portrait and Talakayang Pantawid.
The said activity brings hope to every joining beneficiary that through collaborative efforts of the DSWD and every beneficiary with their willingness to alleviate their lives, a new day will shine with full of hopes that not later than tomorrow, every Pantawid beneficiary in Caraga will soon reach the level of self-sufficiency.
The National Family Week is yearly observed every fourth week of September in line with Presidential Proclamation No. 60 signed on September 29, 1992 and amended by Executive Order No. 241 dated June 9, 1995. Also as per EO No. 241, the celebration is spearheaded by the National Committee on the Filipino Family which is chaired by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program focuses on human investment, specifically on children’s future; the program seeks to uplift the lives of millions of poor Filipino families. Hence, the provision of educational and health grants to children-beneficiaries is a big step towards ensuring that “they are kept healthy and in school.
To date, 4,166,638 households in 1,483 municipalities, 144 cities, 80 provinces in 17 regions are enrolled in Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program all over the country. ###(SocialMarketingUnit/DSWD FO Caraga)