31st family week activities held with the theme, “Pamilyang Pilipino: Pagtugon sa Nagbabagong Pananaw at Panahon
Celebration for the 31st family week in Baguio was held last Saturday, Sept. 23, at the Children’s Park, Burnham, with educational, social services, and fun-filled activities, aiming to uphold family resiliency despite passing adversities including natural calamities and the recent Covid pandemic.
According to City Social and Welfare and Development Officer III Jeterda Junio, more than four hundred families were present, as earlier identified by the family week steering committee.
The city government spearheaded the activity through the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) led by Liza Bulayungan, with attendees: solo parents, Persons With Disability (PWDs), Women and Children in special circumstances, and other individuals and groups.
Attending agencies were the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-CAR), Baguio City Police Office (BCPO), People with Disabilities Affairs Office (PDAO), Baguio City Public Library (BCPL), Women and Children Protection Desk, City Medical and Dental Unit of the Health Services Office (CMDU-HSO), KALIPI federation, and other offices.
Starting the celebration was a Zumba session led by KALIPI’s Beverly Sacyafen who at the same time encouraged every family member to lead an active and healthy lifestyle.
Speakers for the occasion: Councilor Elmer Datuin, committee chair on Women and Social Services, hailed the participants’ willingness to participate in activities that promote family bonding with active community participation, while Regional Director of DSWD-CAR Leo Quintilla commended the celebration of family week for a month with activities that foster unity and strengthen family bonds. He advised family members to constantly keep in touch through modern communication means, and extend cordiality even to distant relatives.
The BCPL, led by multi-awarded head librarian Ester Wahayna-Pablo, conducted an interactive storytelling session for children where stories of love, unity, and family values were shared. The stories also highlighted the importance of family unity and happiness and the functionality of these relationships in everyday lives. A participating group, the Church of the Latter Day Saints disseminated information as to a clan tracing competition, through the BCPL.
Goods and food packs from sponsor Ferdinand Martin were distributed; with IEC materials from the police office pertaining to the Bawal Bastos Law were given to the participants, demonstrating the community’s commitment to support one another.
A dozen parents with special needs were given health kits while other participants availed of free medical and dental check-ups, and blood pressure monitoring through the City Medical and Dental Unit of the Health Services Office (CMDU-HSO).
City Community Affairs and Development Unit led by PMaj Francisco Ben and Women and Children Protection Desk, stations 1 to 10 and operating units, and attached offices, and Cyra Policarpio of the HSO gave information as to public safety, mental health awareness, and solo parents and children’s legal rights during the four-hour program.
The BCPO personnel and official mascot “TOPO” entertained the participants, with a rendition of “Life is Beautiful,” while prizes for the games were awarded.
The Korean Community Association in the Philippines actively participated in the celebration. – Roxy Bianca Paderes and JGF, with reports from the CSWDO
