The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) vowed Monday to continuously look after and promote the welfare and protection of Filipino families amid the gripping COVID-19 pandemic crisis.
During the virtual kick off of the 28th National Family Week celebration, DSWD Secretary Rolando Bautista expressed the agency’s unwavering commitment to implement programs and initiatives that would promote the interest of the Filipino families, especially the poor households, in this time of global health crisis.
"Ang DSWD bilang pangunahing ahensya sa kagalingang panlipuan ay kaagapay ng pamilyang Pilipino sa pagbangon mula sa hamong dala ng COVID-19 sa pamamagitan ng pagpapatupad ng mga programang tumutulong upang mapangalagaan at maprotektahan ang interes at kapakanan ng bawat isa. Babangon tayong sama-sama bilang isang pamilya,” he said in his opening speech.
(The DSWD as primary agency on welfare protection will help Filipino families get back on their feet from the challenges brought about COVID-19 through the implementation of programs that would promote and safeguard their interest and welfare of each one us. We will all rise together as one family)
“Asahan ninyong patuloy na itataguyod ng DSWD ang kagalingan at pagpapalakas ng ugnayan at pagkakaisa ng pamilyang Pilipino,” he added.
(Count on the DSWD that it will continuously promote the welfare and work towards the strengthening the solidarity and stability of the Filipino family)
As chair of the National Committee on the Filipino Family (NCFF), the DSWD leads the celebration of the 28th National Family Week from Sept. 21 to 27.
Bautista cited the crucial role of a “strong” Filipino family in helping the government address the social problems fired up by pandemic, which include unplanned pregnancies, mental health problems, loss of jobs, and gender-based violence.
The DSWD started the weeklong celebration with a nationwide ringing of bells dubbed as “Ring a Family Bell” which was done simultaneously at past 9 a.m. in all government agencies to symbolize the nationwide awareness and commitment to commemorate the solidarity and unity of the Filipino families.
DSWD Undersecretary Luzviminda Ilagan announced the list of activities for the weeklong celebration of the 28th National Family Week.
The theme of this year’s celebration is “Tungo sa Maginhawa, Matatag, at Panatag na Pamilyang Pilipino.”