COTABATO CITY, Sept. 27 (PNA) — Believing family must be strengthened as a foundation of a community and the nation, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) officially kicked off the 23rd National Family Week celebration on Saturday with a parade and a short program at the region’s seat here.
Spearheading the activity was the region’s Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-ARMM).
ARMM Vice Governor Haroun Al-Rashid Lucman and currently DSWD-ARMM secretary said in a statement that the celebration is aimed at intensifying the importance of strengthening the family as the foundation of the nation.
This year’s celebration holds the theme “Family Solidarity, Gender Equality and Children’s Rights in Contemporary Families.” This highlights equal opportunities of men and women as well as existing child rights in the Filipino family.
“The family is the very foundation of our nation. It is from where it derives strength, progress and stability,” Lucman said. “The stronger the family we have, the stronger the society, or nation, we could have.”
The celebration is held every fourth week of September based on Proclamation No. 60 issued on Sept. 18, 1992 “in recognition of the sanctity of family life and to protect and strengthen the family as a basic autonomous social institution.”
DSWD-ARMM awarded Sambay Salik-Suwaib as the Solo Parent Awardee this year. Suwaib received the award “in recognition for her exemplary roles as father and mother” to her three children since her husband passed away more than 20 years ago.
Four other families also received the Model Family Award from the department. They got a plaque of recognition and cash rewards.
More than 500 employees from different line agencies and offices of ARMM took part in the opening program. (PNA)