The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Caraga, in coordination with The Regional Inter-Agency Committee on Filipino Family (RIAC-FF) held a virtual culmination program for the 29th National Filipino Family Week (NFFW) Celebration on September 30, 2021 via Zoom conference and RIAC-FF Official page Facebook live.
The said event is in accordance with Presidential Proclamation No. 60 series of 1992 signed by former President Fidel V. Ramos declaring the last week of September of every year as family week which aims to strengthen family relationships and recognizes the sanctity of family life. With this year’s theme, “Pamilya and Teknolohiya: Magkabalikat Mapagtagumpayan ang Hamon ng Pandemya,” a series of activities were prepared by DSWD and the RIAC-FF.
“Given the culture of the Philippines and the challenge the world is facing now, this family week celebration is properly providential. In a world of turmoil and uncertainty, it is ever important that we make our family the center of our lives and the top of our priorities not only this week but every day. Today, as we conclude the Filipino Family Week 2021, let’s continue to advocate the rights and welfare of the Filipino Family especially our fellow Caraganons.” Ramil M. Taculod, DSWD FO Caraga Assistant Regional Director for Administration said in this opening remarks.
In addition, Dinnes Karl Garcia, RnM MSC and Nurse III of the Department of Health – Center for Health and Development (DOH-CHD) Caraga emphasized the importance of technology to the times of the pandemic. “Vaccination is one of the greatest developments we have come up with in the plight against Covid-19 and it is with this technology that we are optimistic to put an end to this pandemic. Hopefully, we can embrace one another tightly again and re-establish those close family ties within the close proximity with one another. Nawa tayo ay magkaisa bilang isang pamilya at gamitin natin ang teknolohiya ng bakuna upang mapagtagumpayan ang hamong ng pandemya. (Hopefully, we will become one as a family and use the technology of vaccine to win the challenge of this pandemic).”
The week-long celebration was a success through the active participation of different partner-agencies, government and non-government organizations, partners and stakeholders and of course, the participants from all-over the Region who vigorously cooperated in the various activities prepared by DSWD FO Caraga and RIAC-FF.
As part of the celebration activities, webinars and forums that tackled about the importance of Health and Nutrition, and Mental Health among Filipino People amidst pandemic were conducted to generate greater public awareness on the issues affecting the families in the Region.
Also, different competitions like Family Tiktok dance challenge and spoken poetry among others were joined by participants all over the Region. In fact, a special spoken-poetry performance was given by Rojett C. Saraza from Region 4A, Calabarzon.
As the family week celebration concluded, DSWD FO Caraga Protective Services Division Head Jessie Catherine B. Aranas, speaking on behalf of OIC-Regional Director Ramel F. Jamen, extended her sincere gratitude to everyone who have been supportive to all activities of The National Filipino Family Week celebration.
“I thank the DSWD, RIAC-FF, partner agencies, every family, extended family, different groups who have extended their support in this activity especially in our most trying times. This is really the best (time), at least you have spent your time with your family but still working. Please take note that our family is really our most treasured gems,” She said.#
