The Department of Social Welfare and Development  (DSWD) Field Office 10 in partnership with the Regional Inter Agency Committee on Filipino Family (RIAC-FF)  conducted the Regional Parents Education Congress last September 25 – 26, 2013 at Pearlmont Inn, Cogon, Cagayan de Oro City with the Theme: Unity across Generations: A Strong Family, A Strong Society.

The congress aimed to give recognition to the families who stood out on their participation and contribution to the community more so when caught in dilemma along economic deprivation and social discrimination and to promote strong collaboration among regional and local government and non-government organizations in support to families.  There were    forty seven (47) participants who came from different Local Government Units  that composes mostly of family members of those  who vied for the Search for Model Filipino Family and  members of the Technical Working Group (TWG) of the RIAC-FF.

Sr. Gina R. Rama of the Daughters of Saint Paul  the invited Resource Person emphasized on the importance of  the mission of a Filipino family with a sense of service to others and having a guide for a strong and binding one anchored on three (3) C’s which are Christ, Commitment and Communication.

This year’s celebration was highlighted  with the Awarding of the Search for Model Filipino Family.  The  Family of Ponciano and Delia Castaños of Lunao, Gingoog City was this year’s model with their exemplary contribution to the community that up to the present are imbibed on the day to day lives of the family members.

The second winner is the family from Kalasungay, malaybalay City.  Mr. Roger and Emelinda Sario  are members of the Indigenous People (IP) of Bukidnon, the Higaonon tribe who are the moving force of the IPs on their quest for cultural heritage and mainstreaming their hopes and aspirations to the larger community.  The third winner is from Iligan City, Mr. Leoncio and Nida Callo who are very active on their voluntary service to the people of Iligan city.

The Congress was indeed a success having drawn support from the partners and stakeholders in the spirit of convergence as the community had been the proof thereof.###Monavic M. Budiongan, SWO III