DSWD stresses importance of having meals with the family
A family that enjoys mealtimes together stays connected and fosters a deeper bond.
This was the message of the National Committee on the Filipino Family (NCFF), which is chaired by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), in observance of Family Day Important on Monday.
Family Day Important is an annual celebration that is held on the fourth Monday of September, according to Presidential Proclamation No. 326, series of 2012.
The DSWD urged Filipinos to spend mealtimes together with their families because doing so brings each member of the family closer and encourages them to face challenges together. This is particularly important especially now that the country is still dealing with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
"Having a common family meal also provides the opportunity to strengthen family communication and serve as a place where members can express their thoughts to each other and share positive experiences of happiness and affection," the DSWD said on Facebook.
DSWD Secretary Rolando Joselito Bautista even said in a statement for National Family Week that the whole country should be considered as one unit. If Filipinos help each other, they could move past the current health crisis.
"Batid nating hindi madali ang ating naranasan sa kasalukuyan. Ang DSWD, at iba pang ahensya ng pamahalaan, kasama ang ating mga partners na non-government organizations at pribadong sektor, ay kaagapay ng pamilyang Pilipino sa pagbangon mula sa hamog dala ng COVID-19, (We know that what we are experiencing at the moment is not easy. The DSWD, and other government agencies, along with our partners non-government organizations and the private sector, are assisting the Filipino family in recovering from the threat caused by COVID-19)," he said.
"Sa pamamagitan ng pagpapatupad ng mga programang tumutulong upang mapangalagaan at ma-protektahan ang interes at kapakanan ng bawat isa, babangon tayong sama-sama - bilang isang pamilya, (By implementing programs that help to protect and protect each other's interests and wellbeing, we will rise together - as a family)," continued Bautista.