COTABATO CITY – The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) officially kicked-off the 23rd National Family Week celebration on Tuesday with a parade and a short program here.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-ARMM) is leading the celebration, which will last until September 27.
Haroun Al-Rashid Lucman, ARMM Vice-Governor and DSWD Secretary, said the celebration is aimed at intensifying the importance of strengthening the family as the foundation of the nation.
This year’s theme is “Family Solidarity, Gender Equality and Children’s Rights in Contemporary Families” which 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 observed annually every fourth week of September based on Proclamation No. 60 issued on September 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. The awardees received 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.
On September 25, ARMM will also hold ‘kanduli’ or thanksgiving lunch as part of the event. (Bureau of Public Information)
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