PAVIA, Iloilo – To mark the recent National Filipino Family Week, a tree planting activity was held in Barangay Cabugao Norte, Pavia town.
The Regional Inter-Agency Committee on Filipino Family (RIACFF) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) – Region 6 led the tree planting on September 25, 2024 in collaboration with the local government unit of Pavia, Iloilo.
Regional offices of various national government agencies participated by sending delegations to the tree planting.
From the local government of Pavia, the Sangguniang Bayan’s (SB) Committee on Environment chaired by SB Member Daniel S. Fajardo II and Committee on Social Welfare led by SB member Rhia B. Sotomil gave their all-out support.
Proclamation No. 60 (s. 1992) signed by then-President Fidel V. Ramos designated the last week of September as Family Week. It serves as a reminder of the vital role families play in shaping the nation’s future, and focuses on encouraging Filipinos to strengthen family bonds and take responsibility for family members’ emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being.
This year’s Family Week theme was “Pamilyang Tumutugon sa Pagbabago ng Panahon”. The tree planting was carried out from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. followed by a program.
Planting trees to mark Family Week was full of symbolism. It aligned with the celebration’s focus on nurturing and sustaining families in several ways such as the following:
* Symbol of Growth and Nurturing – Just as families provide the foundation for individuals to grow and thrive, planting trees represents a long-term investment in future generations. Trees need care, attention, and time to mature, much like the nurturing required in family relationships. The act of planting and tending to a tree mirrors the commitment families make to raising their children and building strong familial bonds.
* Legacy for Future Generations – Family Week emphasized the importance of preserving family values and traditions for the future. Planting trees during the week highlighted the idea of leaving a sustainable, healthy environment for future generations. Families, like trees, are part of a continuous cycle, with each generation passing down values and wisdom, just as trees provide shade, oxygen, and resources over time.
* Promoting Unity and Shared Responsibility – Tree planting activities during Family Week foster a sense of shared responsibility, not only for the environment but also within the family. It’s a collective effort — just as building a strong family requires everyone’s involvement, so does protecting and caring for the environment. Participants in such activities are reminded that cooperation is key to achieving long-term success, whether in personal relationships or in protecting nature.
* Sustainability and Family Resilience – Planting trees symbolizes resilience, a quality that families need to withstand challenges. Trees are resilient to storms and adverse weather, just as families must be resilient in facing life’s challenges.
By linking the tree planting activity to Family Week, the DSWD highlighted how families play a crucial role in shaping a sustainable and caring society. This not only promoted environmental stewardship but also reinforced the message that strong family values and cooperation are foundational to a better future.
Other participants to the tree planting in Pavia were from the regional offices of the departments of Labor and Employment, Trade and Industry, Education, Agriculture, Interior and Local Government, Environment and Natural Resources, Health, Commission on Human Rights, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Philippine Statistics Office,
Police Regional Office 6, National Commission on Indigenous People, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, Philippine Information Agency, Bureau of Local Government Finance, Public Attorney’s Office, CPD, RCWC, RACCO, and nongovernment organizations Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and Solo Parents Pavia./PN
