As part of its continued advocacy to strengthen the Filipino family, the National Committee on the Filipino Family (NCFF), chaired by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), is enjoining the public to celebrate the 28th National Family Week on September 21-27, 2020 with the theme “Tungo sa Maginhawa, Matatag at Panatag na Pamilyang Pilipino.”

The National Family Week is a yearly celebration held every fourth week of September pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 60 issued on September 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,” which emphasizes the importance of providing Filipino families with compassionate response on economic shocks and protection from violence in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The sub-theme is also an appeal to all concerned agencies and organizations to 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 this crisis, including unplanned pregnancies, loss of jobs and livelihood, mental-health problems, and gender-based violence, and others.

The National Family Week celebration will officially start on September 21 with a nationwide ringing of bells dubbed as “Ring a Family Bell” to be simultaneously done at 9:00 AM 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 will also be aired via DSWD’s Facebook page on the same day.

In support of the Family Week, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), an active member of the NCFF, will hold an online Interfaith Family Forum on September 23 which will tackle different topics concerning the family.

Meanwhile, the City of Manila, the host LGU for the 28th National Family Week, will conduct a webinar in partnership with Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) on September 24 focusing on strengthening family relationships through responsible parenting and positive discipline.

On September 26, the Commission on Population, another active member of the NCFF, will host a talk show which will tackle the myths and misconceptions on family planning to help address the issue of unplanned pregnancies during the quarantine period.

Apart from these activities, the NCFF will also utilize 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 will be posting 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.

Kainang Pamilya Mahalaga Day

The NCFF is also encouraging 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, DSWD recognizes the importance of strengthening and promoting family unity and stability to build a solid and united Filipino society.

The Department, 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. ###