ILOILO CITY (PIA) - - Regional winners for this year’s Search for Natatanging Pamilyang Pilipino were feted during an awarding ceremony that capped the 30th National Family Week celebration in Western Visayas.

Leading the awardees was the Caballero family from Masaroy village of Calinog, Iloilo. This family, who belongs to the Panay Bukidnon tribe, has also been shortlisted in the national level of the search.

Other awardees who made it to the five in the regional level are the Zaragosa family of Sibalom, Antique, 2nd place; Gucman family of Negros Occidental, 3rd place; Cubar family of Pototan, Iloilo, 4th place; and Villanueva family of Negros Occidental, 5th place.

In his message, DSWD 6 Regional Director lawyer. Carmelo N. Nochete expressed happiness in recognizing the achievements of the awardees who, according to him, are worthy of emulating.

On his part, Razo said the family was awarded for being an exemplary Filipino family in the region in living out the goal of the government for every Filipino family to have a stable, comfortable and peaceful life which demonstrated through their resilience, courage, and strength in facing hardships or difficulties.

Pursuant to Proclamation No. 60, the last week of September of every year in the country is declared as National Family Week "to increase awareness on various family issues; enhance effectiveness of national and local efforts to carry out specific programs concerning families by generating new programs concerning families by generating new activities and strengthening existing ones; and promote collaboration among national and local non-governmental organizations in support of multi-sectoral activities.”

This year’s celebration was anchored on the theme "Urbanisasyon at Pamilyang Pilipino: Magkaagapay sa Pagpapatibay at Pagpapaunlad ng Bansa" based on the theme of the International Day of Families (IDF) celebration “Families and Urbanization,” that promotes sustainable urbanization. (JBG/DSWD6/laf/PIA6-Iloilo)