HUWARANG PAMILYA. The family of Donde and Melyn Bog-ot of Sitio Paiton, Dagohoy, Talaingod is this year’s winner of the Search for Huwarang Pamilyang Pilipino hosted by the Department of Social Welfare and Development in coordination with DOH, DepEd, DILG, PNP, Tambayan Center for Children’s Rights, Kinasang’an Foundation, Local Government Units and the Regional Interagency Committee on the Filipino Family. Garnering a score of 98.50 per cent, the family received a Plaque and a cash award of P30,000.00 during the Awarding Ceremonies Friday at Apo View Hotel.

Teary-eyed and confident, Melyn said they were already overjoyed with their inclusion in the Pantawid Pamilya program especially with regards to the health and education aspect and they did not expect that more blessings would come like this opportunity to be cited as Huwarang Pamilya regional winner.

At 33, Melyn is a PTA secretary, Pantawid Pamilya Parent Leader, Day Care teacher, president of SEA-K Association, treasurer of households with solar power, a religious leader and a Sitio Paiton 2012 Parents of the Year awardee. Husband Donde is a farmer, carpenter, president of Fathers’ Association, and also a Sitio Paiton 2012 Parents of the Year Awardee. The couple has two children.

The other finalists are the Dumasig Family of Kiblawan, Davao Del Sur; Nakilan Family of Davao City, Almonia Family of Maragusan, Compostela Valley; and Dy Family of Lupon, Davao Oriental. Other  families which were municipal and provincial winners were also recognized at the event.

Davao Del Norte Governor Rodolfo P. Del Rosario challenged the families present that what is more important than getting the award and the prize money is ensuring to lead their lives properly and showing to the community that they can do better. He also urged the families to be involved in community affairs and heed the counsel of local officials. “Let us be proud of this award and challenge the other families that they too can make it.”

Director Priscilla N. Razon, DSWD, conveyed in her message, “Let us make everyday a family day. Let us make all members of our family our best friends. Let us cherish our family for we only have one. No matter where you may wander and no matter what becomes of you, the last place you are going to turn to is your family because that’s the first place where you experienced being loved and being wanted, that’s where you start learning to grow and finding your place in the sun.”

Screening and Evaluation of the family nominees are based on these criteria: 1] A family with 100% compliance with all Pantawid Pamilya conditionalities -25%; 2] A family that practices and promotes a healthy living environment (e.g. backyard gardening, cleanliness and sanitation at home, knowledgeable about healthy practices, involved in promoting health habits) -20%; 3] A family that is actively involved in community and environmental endeavors -20%; 4] A family that demonstrates love and respect for the community including the environment -20%; and 5] A family who manages and utilizes cash grants properly -15%. DSWD