BUTUAN CITY -- The Regional Inter-Agency Committee on Filipino Family (RIAC-FF) Caraga chaired by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will spearhead this year's 29th Filipino Family Week celebration thru the conduct of lined-up activities from September 20-30, 2021. 

According to DSWD-Caraga regional director Ramel Jamen, the virtual kick-off of this celebration on September 20 will be broadcasted via MaCaragaBata Stream Channel in partnership with the Regional Committee on the Welfare of Children (RCWC).

“The committee will conduct the "Adopt-a-Family" activity on September 22, wherein the committee members will select families who will be given 'gift items' such as food packs, grocery items, clothes, and the like,” said Jamen.

On September 24, 2021, a webinar dubbed "Healthy Lifestyle and Nutrition in COVID-19" will be held with resource speaker from the National Nutrition Council (NNC) while this will be participated by the representatives from various local government units (LGUs), parent leaders, and other stakeholders.

Jamen also said that the RIAC-FF is also accepting entries for the Family Tiktok and Spoken Poetry (Child/Youth and Adult Edition) until September 27, 2021. Each contest is open to all who wish to showcase their talents on family Tiktok and Spoken Poetry. Participants should follow the mechanics and criteria for judging. “Winners will be determined by the overall score gained from the judges who are members of the committee. E-Scorecard will be sent via e-mail, and judging of entries will be on September 28. Winners will also be announced during the culmination program,” he said.

A webinar dubbed "Mental Health among Filipino Family Amidst Pandemic" is scheduled on September 28, 2021 with invited resource speaker from the Department of Health (DOH). This will be participated by various organizations.

Meanwhile, a virtual "Salo-Salo" will culminate the said celebration. The program will begin in the morning of September 30 with a video presentation of two select families sharing lives in overcoming the challenges, especially this COVID-19 pandemic. Winners of the contests will also be announced during the culmination. 

The Filipino Family Week is an annual observance every last week of September, pursuant to Proclamation No. 6, series of 1992. This aims to promote the family as the foundation of the nation by emphasizing the importance of strengthening and promoting unity, solidarity and stability and advocating for stronger and protected Filipino families.

This year's celebration is anchored on the theme "Pamilya at Teknolohiya: Magkabalikat Mapagtagumpayan ang Hamon ng Pandemya," which aims to cite the need for all concerned stakeholders to provide Filipino families with compassionate response on economic shocks and protection from violence amid the COVID-19 pandemic. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)