“To members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, family is the focus of God's creations,” emphasized Elder Steven R. Bangerter, First Counselor of the Philippines Area Presidency in his response after the Church received recognition from the National Committee on the Filipino Family (NCFF).
The award was given for the Church's continued support in the promoting, building and strengthening of families during the virtual culminating activity of the 29th National Family Week on October 8, 2021.
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Honorable Rolando Joselito D. Bautista, NCFF Chairperson, and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary extended his gratitude to all stakeholders and partners who celebrated the National Family Week. He said in Tagalog:
This pandemic has taken a toll on the lives of every Filipino but we have learned to adapt to the new normal. Technology has also become an excellent tool in helping us overcome the effects of the pandemic. Despite having the majority of activities online, we appreciate all your efforts in honoring and strengthening the Filipino family.
For its continued support of the nationwide observance of National Family Week, the Church received a Certificate of Appreciation as well as a Special Citation for conducting the 4th Interfaith Family Forum virtually.
Representing the Church, Elder Bangerter expressed his great appreciation for the recognition. He also commended the NCFF's efforts in strengthening the family.
Being a father of six boys, Elder Bangerter shared how the "precepts upon which the National Family Week is founded" were similar to the principles taught in The Family: A Proclamation to the World, a Church document articulating the divine purpose of families in the plan of happiness. He emphasized:
We know that righteous family traditions provide a hallmark of a happy home and unified family. It is my witness that as we teach our children to learn and follow the precepts upon which the National Family Week is founded, we will be protected against the pain and heartache that comes from broken and disintegrating relationships.
For the past 29 years, the Church has been a long-time participant of the National Family Week celebration held every last week of September annually.
Hosted by the NCFF, the Virtual National Family Week Culminating Activity included speakers such as Attorney Kristine Rosary E. Yuzon-Chavez, Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) Executive Director; and Undersecretary Luzviminda C. Ilagan, Undersecretary for Policy and Plans of the DSWD and the Alternate Chairperson of NCFF.
It was also attended by over a hundred participants through a Zoom link and streamed as a Facebook live event on the Department of Social Welfare and Development official Facebook page.
About the National Family Week
Through Proclamation No. 60 signed in 1992, the country celebrates National Family Week with various activities together with government agencies and civil society groups. The Church remains at the forefront of the celebration as one of the early core members of the national steering committee.
Despite the limitations brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of Latter-day Saints celebrated the National Family Week by holding various activities through virtual means.