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Ms. Janet N. Salvador (from left), the Unit Head of Adoption Resource and Referral Section of DSWD-NCR, Ms. Hazel Militante, the Division Chief of DSWD-NCR’s Protective Service Unit, with Mr. Reuben Pangan and his child, Mandie and DSWD-NCR Regional Director Ms. Ma. Alicia S. Bonoan during the awarding of certificate of appreciation for Mr. Pangan as among the resource persons of the activity.
Ms. Janet N. Salvador (from left), the Unit Head of Adoption Resource and Referral Section of DSWD-NCR, Ms. Hazel Militante, the Division Chief of DSWD-NCR’s Protective Service Unit, with Mr. Reuben Pangan and his child, Mandie and DSWD-NCR Regional Director Ms. Ma. Alicia S. Bonoan during the awarding of certificate of appreciation for Mr. Pangan as among the resource persons of the activity.


A total of 24 families who are members of Foster and Adoption Support Group (FASG) in Metro Manila celebrated the 23rd National Family Week recently together with officials and staff of the Department of Social Welfare and Development – National Capital Region (DSWD-NCR) and Philippine National Police (PNP) in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

Police Superintendent Ebra M. Moxsir the Chief of Spiritual Ministry Division welcomed the participants with his message of hope that after the activity, the PNP, especially the chaplain service, will have more knowledge about adoption and foster care as they are among the partners of DSWD in protecting the rights of children.

Further, retired Police Chief Superintendent Dr. Yolanda G. Tanigue who is currently the Consultant and Advisor for CHS Counseling and Pastoral Care Formation Initiatives, provided the participants with an orientation regarding the PNP in relation to this year’s National Family Week celebration “Gender Equality and Children’s Rights in Contemporary Families.”

DSWD-NCR Regional Director Ma. Alicia S. Bonoan in her inspirational message encouraged the FASG to continue in sharing their stories especially their success and happiness that adoption/foster care brought to their families to encourage more prospective adoptive parents to welcome a child into their homes.

“As delivered by Police Senior Superintendent Deody O. Barret in his message, “the Lord said, ‘when you welcome children, you also welcome me.” I want to congratulate the parents here today for welcoming the Lord in your lives,” Director Bonoan emphasized.

Meanwhile, Mr. Reuben Pangan, a member of FASG, shared the joy in his family’s life when they adopted Mandie. Eleven years ago, he never expected the overwhelming experience of the magical moment when the latter held his finger when she was still a baby.

“Noong una kong nakita si Mandie ay napakaliit niyang baby na naka-wrap lying on the bed… I lie down beside her then I played with her chin when suddenly, inilabas niya ang kamay niya then hinawakan niya ang daliri ko… after that I said ‘anak ko ‘to,” Mr. Pangan narrated.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Mr. Pangan highlighted in his sharing that “Mandie” is a very significant part of their existence as a family and a God’s blessing to them who they will treasure and take care as long as they can.fasg1

After the first part of the program, the families and children enjoyed the games during the activity such as dancing, colored nips counting of children, pingpong relay, rice sack and hula-hoop race with balloon popping and bring me contests. Photo booth and food stalls were also set up for the participants. ###

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