Villagomez also led parents in vowing to strengthen their role as partners in providing service to the community.
“We have essential roles in the lives of children as providers, protectors, primary teachers and role models which establish a strong foundation for the child’s overall development,” he said.
Yesterday, Villagomez, in his capacity as acting governor, signed the proclamation designating February as Fatherhood and Male Involvement Month, and Parent Leadership Month.
During the signing of the proclamation at the Tanapag Head Start Center, the lt. governor recognized the important role of fathers, grandfathers, uncles, godfathers, cousins, brothers, teachers and other male authority figures.
Terrence Taiscan, Fatherhood and Male Involvement Committee chairman, said the contributions of men who have taken on the fatherhood role deserve to be recognized not only during Father’s Day.
“Every caring male figure contributes to a child’s health, social, emotional, physical, language and cognitive development,” he said. “In the quest to give children the opportunities to succeed, men offer the needed strength, guidance and love for children to reach their fullest potential.”
He said fathers instill time-honored values in children such as hard work, respect, honest and good citizenship.
Villagomez encouraged community members to participate in the activities of the Parent Leadership Month and the 40th Anniversary of Parents Anonymous Inc.
“The power of parents speaking publicly about their experiences has made and will continue to make an impact on the lives of families everywhere,” he said.
He added, “Parent leadership is successfully achieved when parents receive support and training and share responsibility, expertise and leadership in the planning, implementation, oversight and evaluation of policies, practices and programs affecting families and communities.”
Parent Anonymous Inc. was founded in 1967 by a single mother, Jolly K., and is dedicated to the prevention of child abuse and neglect.
The group first celebrated National Parent Leadership Month in Feb. 2004 to “recognize the extraordinary courage and tenacity of parent who have reached out to make improvements in their families and communities.”
This year’s theme is “Strengthening families through parent leadership.”
