Bicol inter-agency committee on family strengthen its ranks

By: Joseph John J. Perez

LEGAZPI CITY, December 26 (PIA) – Some key government agencies composing the Regional Inter-Agency Committee (RIAC) on family in the Bicol Region recently conducted a team-building workshop to further strengthen its capabilities in implementing programs and projects for the family sector.

“The main objective of this activity is to deepen the understanding, appreciation and commitment among RIAC members towards shared goals for the family through the various programs and services of each agencies and the vision of our country as a nation of strong and  God-centered families,” Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Bicol Focal Person for Family Jindra Mingoy told the Philippine Information Agency (PIA).

The two-day activity was designed to revive the participation and support of partner agencies, discuss issues and concerns confronting the RIAC, evaluate and assess the accomplishment for family sector for 2013, prepare the  RIAC plan for family sector for 2014 and strengthen partnership between DSWD and partner agencies, Mingoy added.

The RIAC on the Family is composed of the heads or  representatives of DSWD, Department of Health (DOH), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Environment and Natural Resources, (DENR), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Commission on Population (POPCOM), Technical Education, Skills Development Authority (TESDA) , Department of Justice (DOJ), National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), Philippine Information Agency (PIA) and representatives  from local government units, non-government organizations, civic and religious groups, marriage and family organizations, and educational institutions.

In Bicol, this committee has been organized and existed for more than a decade. RIAC has been conducting various activities relative to Family Week Celebration to include the Regional Parent Effectiveness Congress (RPEC). Members of the inter-agency serves as resource persons on topics related to family, DSWD told PIA.

The State recognizes the Filipino family as the foundation of the nation. As such, it strengthens its solidarity and promotes its total development. In addition to these, many other provisions of our Philippine Constitution and specific laws are relevant to family solidarity and total development, DSWD said.

Most notable among these laws is the Family Code of the Philippines. Through the years, a number of Executive Orders and Presidential Proclamations have also been issued in service to the Filipino family, DSWD added.

The RIAC on the Family is the focal point committee in providing the necessary information and reporting on the implementation of the plan at the regional level. (AAN/JJJPerez-PIA5/Albay)