In support of the National Family Week Celebration from September 22-30, the DSWD and the National Committee on the Filipino Family (NCFF) will hold a family conference today, September 26, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) Buendia Chapel, Dela Costa Street, Makati City.

More than 200 family advocates are expected to participate in the first Family Conference initiated by the DSWD, through the NCFF, highlighting the theme “The Filipino Family Shall Overcome.”  The topics to be discussed are about emerging issues affecting the family which could help family members nurture relationships and promote family unity and values.

DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman said “it’s important to give focus on Filipino families as they are faced with many social issues and problems.  The government and the civil society must work hand in hand to preserve and strengthen the values of the Filipino family.”

, Ms. Lourdes “Bing” de la Llana-Pimentel, President of Buhay Isang Awit Foundation, Inc. and the director of the Community Chest Foundation, an active member of the NCFF will give an inspirational message.  .

One of the highlights of the Conference is a discussion on “Disaster Risk Reduction and Management in the Family” to be handled by Director Edgardo J. Ollet of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Operations Center.

“The Effects of Media and Technology on the Family,” on the other hand, will be discussed by Mr. Alexander K. Ramos of the Angel Net Foundation, Inc and Ms. Anne Marie R. Ramos,from De La Salle University.

The Conference will also tackle “Violence in the Family” to help family-advocates enhance their skills in responding to the issue. Dr. Aleli Villena-Sevilla from Miriam College and Ms. Anna Marie B. San-Diego of the Department of Education will share their knowledge on the topic.

Filipinos are known globally for having close-knit families.  In recognition of this, “Culture, Values and their Influence in the Family” will be discussed by Ms. Elvira Limpin (Drug Abuse Prevention, Pasig Drop-In Center) and Ms. Nessie Sanchez (Pasig City Health Department).  Mr. John S. Calidguid from the DSWD will discuss “Positive Disciplining” as part of the session on culture, values and the family.

Other topics for discussion are: “Spirituality in the Family” by Ms. Haidi Fajardo of the Latter-day Saints and Reverend Ephraim V. Guerrero of the Pasig Capital Community Church; and “It Starts with the Two of You,” which is a discussion of parental relations by Dr. Marita Wasan of Pro-Life Philippines Foundation, Inc. and Mr. Santaner T. Iray of Drug Check Philippines, Inc.

To close the Family Conference, Director Rosario B. dela Rosa of the Kaisahang Buhay Foundation will present the NCFF Declaration of 2012 which encapsulates the support of the committee members and the family-advocates to the strengthening of Filipino families.   Director dela Rosa is the current Vice-Chairperson of the NCFF.

The Family Week celebration started in 1992 thru Presidential Proclamation No. 60 signed on September 18, 1992. It seeks to strengthen family unity and relationships through meaningful celebration and promotion of Filipino values. The theme for this year is “Ensuring Work-Family Balance.”

The National Committee on the Filipino Family chaired by the DSWD spearheads the celebration of the National Family Week with partners from non-government organizations, other government agencies, and the private sector.