Bicol University through the Center for Gender and Development (CGAD) and the College of Industrial Technology (CIT) joined the Region V Inter-Agency Committee (RIAC) to celebrate National Family Week (NFW) through the holding of a Family Forum on September 27, 2018 at the FICC Amphitheater located at the BU East Campus, Legazpi City.

The Family Forum commemorates 26 years of the National Family Week celebration, held every last week of September, as mandated by Proclamation No. 60, signed by former President Fidel V. Ramos on September 28, 1992.

The BU Center for Gender and Development also hosted last year’s Family Forum held at the CAL Amphitheater of Bicol University on September 28. The participation of BUCGAD in the Family Week Celebration is part of its advocacy to recognize the vital role of families in building a society where both women and men share responsibilities in the home and enjoy the same rights and access to opportunities and resources in the community.

This year’s National Family Week theme remains as “Tungo sa Maginhawa, Matatag, at Panatag na Pamilyang Pilipino,” which envisions better initiatives to strengthen the Filipino family in the new generation. National Family Week celebration annually starts on September 23 until September 29.

The Family Forum invited family advocates from CSOs, and the government. These include Mr. Aser B. Baloloy, Jr. of the Department of Health’s (DOH) Malinao Treatment and Rehabilitation who discussed the implications of addiction recovery for families; Ms. Mayan T. Trilles of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) on the effect of labor migration on families; and SPO4 Liza Jane C. Alteza, Regional Convenor of the Philippines Against Child Trafficking, who advised the participants on how child safety can be instituted at home and in the community.

Other resource persons on the family were Atty. Barrameda of the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Regional Office V, who clarified issues on spousal violence; Ms. Leah D. Dy of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Office V on the ‘Kasambahay Law’; and Ms. Edith Lawenko-Manila, President of the Federation of Senior Citizens Association of the Philippines–LGU Legazpi City, who discussed the issues facing families with aging members.

The Family Forum was formally opened by Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region V Director Arnel B. Garcia, followed by BUCGAD Director Ma. Elaine I. Salazar who provided the participants an overview of the forum.

The BU College of Industrial Technology was ably represented by Dr. Rosevida Cadag who was one of the moderators along with Atty. Flora F. Mangampo-Remolacio of National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) Region V. The forum’s host was Ms. Nikki Estevez, while the forum coordinator was Ms. Marian Monsalve, both from DSWD.

Mr. Giobanni Pangan of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saint-Legazpi City, attending as stakeholder representative and BU Vice President for Administration and Finance (VPAF) Dr. Amelia Dorosan formally closed the Family Forum with an invitation to next year’s Family Week Celebration.   

The Region V Inter-Agency Committee is headed by DSWD Region V and among its members include Bicol University through the Center for Gender and Development, DepEd, PSWD-Sorsogon, SJCM, NAPOLCOM, MARINA, DOST, POPCOM, CHR, DENR, Unbound Legazpi Inc., Mariners Legazpi, NCIP, Southern Luzon Mission, NTC, DOJ, PSWDO Albay, GSH, CIBI, NNC, PSWD Camarines Sur, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints – Legazpi Stake, PSA, PACT, DOLE and NEDA. (MEISALAZAR/BUCGAD)