The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the National Committee on the Filipino Family (NCFF) on Wednesday enjoined all Filipino families to join the celebration of the 30th National Family Week (NFW), which is observed every fourth week of September.

The two agencies spearheaded the NFW celebration that runs from Sept. 26 to 30 this year.

This annual event is pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 60 issued on Sept. 28, 1992, which aims to promote and strengthen family unity and relationship through meaningful celebration and promotion of Filipino values.

This year’s Family Week theme “Urbanisasyon at Pamilyang Pilipino: Magkaagapay sa Pagpapatibay at Pagpapaunlad ng Bansa” is based on the theme of the International Day of Families (IDF) celebration, “Families and Urbanization,” which promotes sustainable urbanization.

In his speech, DSWD Secretary Erwin Tulfo expressed support for the implementation of sustainable urban policies that promote equity and are sensitive to the long-term status of the environment.

“Ang Department of Social Welfare and Development, bilang pangunahing ahensya sa kagalingang panlipunan, ay lubos ang suporta sa pagsulong ng sustainable at family-friendly urban policies upang matiyak na patas at angkop na mabibigyan ng mga tamang oportunidad ang mga mahihirap na pamilyang pilipino na hindi isinasantabi ang kapakanan ng ating kalikasan (The Department of Social Welfare and Development, as the lead social welfare agency, strongly supports the promotion of sustainable and family-friendly urban policies to ensure that poor Filipino families are fairly and appropriately given the right opportunities, without neglecting the welfare of our ecological systems),” he said.

Among the activities prepared for the occasion include the 10th Annual Family Conference which will tackle challenging family issues such as drug and substance abuse and teenage pregnancy.

The DSWD, in partnership with the Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM) and the Department of Health (DOH), will also hold a three-day webinar on responsible parenthood and family planning for all DSWD officials and personnel from Sept. 27 to 29.

The department will also conduct the “Masayang Pamilya Para sa Batang Pilipino Program (MaPa) Session” for DSWD employees. The session will be facilitated in coordination with the Ateneo de Manila University.

On Sept. 29 , the DSWD will spearhead the ceremonial signing of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 11861 or the Expanded Solo Parents’ Welfare Act.

Aside from the said events, the DSWD and the NCFF members will award the national winner for the “National Search for the Natatanging Pamilyang Pilipino” which was launched during last year’s NFW celebration on Oct. 6.

The DSWD and the NCFF will continue to work together to promote and strengthen the family as the basic social institution that molds and transfers positive characteristics to the next generation of Filipino children. (PNA)