The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), as chair of the National Committee on the Filipino Family (NCFF), is calling on all families nationwide to observe the International Day of Families (IDF) on May 15.
“The IDF is an annual celebration that gives a chance for everyone to reflect on the important role families play in our lives and society. As the lead agency in promoting social development, the DSWD will spearhead the celebration with a goal to raise awareness and discuss possible solutions to problems and needs of every family,” Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao, the agency spokesperson, said on Tuesday (May 13).
This year’s global theme, “Family-Oriented Policies for Sustainable Development: Towards the Second World Summit for Social Development 2025,” underscores the importance of creating and supporting policies that put families at the center of development.
To further deliver the global theme down to the localities, the NCFF adopted the local theme “Polisiyang Makapamilya Tungo sa Higit na Matatag, Maginhawa, at Panatag na Pamilyang Pilipino,” reflecting President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s vision of a “Bagong Pilipinas,” where every Filipino family can enjoy a stable, comfortable, and peaceful life.
According to the DSWD spokesperson, the IDF aims to increase awareness of the various social, economic, and demographic issues affecting families today.
One of the highlights of this year’s celebration is the launch of the Pamilya sa Bagong Pilipinas Registry, a new online and mobile application developed by the DSWD.
The registry is part of the agency’s digitalization push and supports the Marcos administration’s goal to automate up to 90 percent of government transactions to improve public service delivery.
“We want to modernize how services are delivered, streamline processes, and make government assistance more accessible. Through this online platform, users can self-register, verify their information, and access a wide range of available services,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao said.
Users of the registry, as mentioned by the DSWD spokesperson, will be able to view the results of their registration and profiling, and see a list of programs they may qualify for—both financial and non-monetary.
A forum to champion family-centered policies will also be conducted during the annual celebration.
The IDF is observed every May 15, as declared by the United Nations General Assembly in 1993, in recognition of the family as the basic unit of society and as a key driver of social development. (YADP)