Co-sponsorship Speech of Sen. Legarda | Senate Proposed Resolution No. 125-Expressing the Sense of the Senate to Declare the Last Week of September of the Year and Every Year Thereafter as the National Family Week

Mr. President and dear colleagues,

I stand before you today to co-sponsor Senate Resolution No. 125, expressing the sense of the Senate to Declare the Last Week of September of this Year and every Year thereafter as the National Family Week.

According to the PSA’s 2020 census, out of 109 million Filipinos, 108.7 million live in households. This is equivalent to 9 out of 10 Filipinos living in households with their families.

However, the weight of economic pressures and the changing social landscape has affected the family rhythm. Oftentimes, both parents and children are compelled to work longer hours to meet the daily expenses of the family. As a result, family time, once defined as shared meals and conversations, is sacrificed. What used to be a norm of sitting together to share stories, seek guidance, and build common values has now become a rare experience for Filipino families. Also, while technology has advanced and brought many benefits, it has also introduced new distractions, making face-to-face communication within families a scarce resource.

Since the State is tasked to protect and strengthen family life as a basic autonomous social institution, it is only proper for this institution to help in nurturing and upholding the welfare and unity of Filipino families.

Thus, I urge my esteemed colleagues to support and adopt the proposed Senate Resolution No. 125 to express the sense of the Senate to declare the last week of September of this year and every year thereafter as the National Family Week.

Simple as it may be, through this measure, we affirm that amidst the difficulties and distractions of modern life, the heart of the Filipino continues to beat strongest within the home. Let this observance be our yearly reminder that our progress as a people will always be measured by the strength of our families, the values we pass on, and the bonds we choose to keep.

Thank you, Mr. President.