The Importance of Family in the Philippines

September is considered as the family-centered month celebration in the Philippines. Filipino families are enjoined to gather together in thanksgiving meal, "kainang pamilya" as sanctioned by law.

La Carlota District Leaders and Branch Presidents
of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a religious institution that recognizes family as an eternal unit, is observing this nation-wide. They have several programs and activities in line for the whole week celebration which will start on September 24.

Proclamation No. 60

As a backgrounder, Former PH president Fidel V. Ramos signed Proclamation No. 60, "Declaring the last week of September of every year as a Family Week" on September 28, 1992 for the following reasons as provided by the PH constitution:

1. "The family as a basic autonomous social institution."

2. "The Filipino family as the foundation of the nation."

3. "Solidarity in the family for total development."

4. "Awareness of the importance of the family."

This could be a call for public attention and ensuring nationwide awareness of the importance of the family.

Proclamation No. 326

The present President Benigno S. Aquino signed Proclamation No. 326, declaring the fourth Monday of September every year as "Kainang Pamilya Mahalaga" into law on January 26, 2012 for the following reasons:

1. To signify unity and thanksgiving for God's abundant blessings

2. To highlight and celebrate the value of families sharing meals together as a national tradition

3. To amend Proclamation No. 1895 and rename “Salu-Salo ng Pamilya Mahalaga” day as “Kainang Pamilya Mahalaga” day to distinguish the latter as a regular annual event.

Thus, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development National Committee on the Filipino Family will have this National Family Week on 24-29 September 2012 in line with the International Day of Families theme: "Ensuring Work-Family Balance"

Activities to be conducted may include the following Barangay "Family Home Evening", Family Meals (Kainang Pamilya), Exhibits of family memoribilias, blood letting, among others.

Cristina Millado, La Carlota District Public Affairs
briefing the Church leaders on
Family Week preparation

Family Week Celebration Objectives

Based on their guidelines, the following objectives are expected to be achieved:

1. Accomplish the PH area objectives such as strengthen families, save the rising generation, establish the Church and rescue the one as members participate in different family week activities

2. Build relations with the DSWD family week steering committee; the city mayor and city councilor assigned to the family committee; pastors, priests and laymen of other faiths; heads of NGO who advocate for the family, barangay captains representing their units and other opinion leaders who share with us common goals and objectives relating to family. Maintain the friendships even after the event.

3. Bring the Church out of obscurity by providing information on the importance of the family to the committee, highlighting our stand with regards to uplifting traditional families and making available materials and resources to help teach family values.

4. Work with the media in documenting and covering family week events and have noteworthy activities and family related topics published in the newspapers and other media.

5. Be actively engaged in this good cause and work towards improving the collective reputation of the Church through members offering time, talent and volunteer service to the many activities lined up for implementation by the Family Week Steering Committee using Mormon Helping Hands.

Work-Family Balance Rationale

In the United Nation Organization site on DESA News states that "Work-family balance lies at the core of the ability of the family to provide economically and emotionally for its members."

This could be realized by "sharing knowledge  about good practices in work-family balance being implemented and advocated for by Governments, private sector, civil society and academic institutions as stated in the site."

It further adds: "Promoting professional support and advice and efforts to create a more family-friendly culture in the workplace are equally important."

And more: "Wide-ranging consultation and partnerships between employers, trade unions and employees to promote better understanding of the importance of work-family reconciliation is strongly encouraged to improve the well-being of families worldwide."

The Family: A Proclamation to the World

The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints strongly affirm the eternal importance of the family in "The Family: A Proclamation to the World."

A part of this which they unequivocally advocate states:

"The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation..."

They're calling "upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society."

The La Carlota District was recently briefed by Sister Cristina Millado, district public affairs coordinator as to the respective responsibilities of every branch president of Ayungon, San Enrique, Masville, Manggapsang, La Castellana, Moises Padilla, La Carlota First and La Carlota Second. The District is presided by President Mario A. Malacaman with his two counselors: President Zandiv Abonado and President Rino Salvado M. Ilanga.

This blogger is the District Public Affairs in-charged of media.