CEBU, Philippines — In today’s fast-paced lifestyle, daily family gatherings around the dining table have become less common.
For Princess Faith Ruta, a government employee in the municipality of Compostela, she agrees that because of her hectic schedule, she and her family, at times, no longer prioritize eating meals together.
But the government hopes this will not be the case and aims to promote family togetherness and unity more by observing the celebration of the 31st National Family Week, particularly the “Kainang Pamilya Mahalaga” Day.
Today, September 23, work in government offices under the Executive branch are suspended from 3 p.m. onwards.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. made the declaration through Memorandum Circular No. 64, which was signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin last September 12.
“This Office also encourages all government workers in the Executive branch to fully support the programs and activities relative to the observance of Family Week, as organized by the National Committee on the Filipino Family,” the memo stated.
The suspension, however, does not apply to agencies that provide essential health and basic services, as well as the ones who respond to disasters, or perform other critical functions, as they will continue to operate and deliver necessary services.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is also joining in the celebration.
“We encourage all Filipino families to bond to strengthen communication and maintain healthy relationship with one another,” DSWD spokesperson, Asst. Secretary Irene Dumlao, said.
Ruta pointed out that people typically work around eight hours, and by the time they return home, they are often too tired to do anything but rest.
"This day helps us to tie bonds with our family bisag unsa pa ka simple ang kaunon, basta kauban ang pamilya ug kompleto pa," she said.
LECTURES
Meanwhile, the Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 recently conducted interactive sessions and family-related lectures during the celebration of the PNP-PRO7 Family Day, which benefitted at least 30 PNP couples held at PRO-7 Headquarters, Camp Sergio Osmeña, Sr., Cebu City.
In his message, PRO-7 Regional Director Police Brigadier General Anthony Aberin, through PCol Ireneo Dalogdog, the officer in charge of the Office of the Regional Staff, emphasized the importance of strong marital and family partnerships and how it affects the quality and effectiveness of every police officer in the line of duty.
“When we are supported at home, we are better equipped to serve and protect others effectively," said Aberin.
The sessions conducted included a mental health awareness and stress management session by Kevin Ken Remedio, MA, Asst. Instructor at USC- Dept. of Psychology; and a financial literacy and budgeting lecture by PMajor Christonie Bongcawil, chief, CAS, of the RFU-7.
Further, a family-marriage relationship lecture was also provided by PCol Joselino Borja, regional chaplain, in order to promote better understanding between spouses.
According to PRO-7 in their Facebook page, while these sessions aim to promote work-life balance of every police personnel, it would also help strengthen their relationships, increase their resilience, improve communication skills between parents and their children, and promote healthy development and functioning.
“As an Able, Active, and Allied police force, we uphold our mandate while also prioritizing our family. May this PNP Family Day enrich your lives and bring your families closer together,” Aberin added.
Fun activities and games were also provided to the couples' children to keep them engaged while the sessions were ongoing and up until the entire program concluded.