News Release

National Family Week Celebration (First in a Series)

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints joined the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the National Committee on the Filipino Family (NCFF) in leading the celebration of National Family Week, September 22-30, with the theme, “Ensuring Work-Family Balance.” 

Different activities were conducted by the stakes (dioceses) of the Church in coordination with other faith-based  organizations and with local government units during the week-long celebration. The activities started with the national kick-off celebration held in Mandaluyong City which also highlighted the awarding of winners for the Search of the Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya.  NCFF also held a family conference with the theme, “The Family Shall Overcome” at the Buendia Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Makati City.

From Luzon to Mindanao, the week-long celebration included fun walks, motorcades and parades, forums, exhibits and talent shows. It aimed to give importance to strengthening family ties and providing the needed programs to empower Filipino families.  

DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman said,  “Families are the core unit of the Filipino nation; hence, we need to give importance to strengthening family ties. A strong family contributes largely to a progressive society.”

On September 28, 1992, former President Fidel V. Ramos signed into law Proclamation No. 60 declaring the last week of September of every year as National Family Week.  

This proclamation reinforces what the Constitution of the Philippines provides:

“The State recognizes the sanctity of family life and shall protect and strengthen the family as a basic autonomous social institution..."

“The State recognizes the Filipino family as the foundation of the nation.”

Proclamation No. 60 further states, “It is the policy of the government to fortify solidarity in the family and actively work for its total development and that 'there is a need to call public attention and ensure nationwide awareness of the importance of the family'.”

Proclamation 60  also focuses on the importance of strengthening and promoting unity, solidarity and stability of the Filipino family as the basic unit of Filipino society and for whose well-being all national development efforts are directed. 

A recent development, Proclamation No. 326, which declares the fourth Monday of September of every year as “Kainang Pamilya Mahalaga” day was signed into law by Pres. Benigno S. Aquino on January 26, 2012 and  was announced by DSWD on the same day.

“Ensuring Work-Family Balance,” highlights the need for families to take time and commit to address not just the economic needs of the family but more especially the emotional and spiritual needs of the family.  Pres. David O. McKay issued previously the oft-repeated statement, “No other success can compensate for failure in the home,” which has become a standard of truth in family relations.

 
 

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