DSWD to Assist Implementation of PMOC Program

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) vowed its full support to assist national government agencies and local government units (LGUs) to streamline the process and effectively execute the Pre-Marriage Orientation and Counseling (PMOC) Program as one of the members of the technical working group for the implementation of the program.

Based on the revised guidelines on the conduct of the PMOC Program, the DSWD is tasked to accredit Pre-Marriage (PM) Counselors and to provide technical assistance to LGUs and PMOC teams which includes the provision of relevant training to accredited PMOC counselors.

The contacting parties or would-be-married couples, who will apply for a marriage license at the Local Civil Registry Office (LCRO), are required to undergo a Pre-Marriage Orientation and Pre-Marriage Counseling as pre-requisite in securing a marriage license. Prior to the PMOC sessions, the contracting parties must accomplish a Marriage Expectation Inventory Form (MEIF) at the PMOC Secretariat.

Applicants who are 18-25 years old, except those marriages that are exempted from license requirement as provided for in the Family Code of the Philippines, are obligated to personally attend the PM orientation that will be conducted by the PMOC Secretariat and PM counseling session that will be facilitated by an accredited PM counselor who is a member of the local PMOC.

Meanwhile, contracting parties 18-25 years old who have certificates issued by a priest, minister, or imam (Muslim priest) to formalize their marriage are no longer required to undergo PM counseling.

The topics that will be discussed in the PMO session include information on responsible parenthood, family planning, marriage and relationship, and breastfeeding and infant nutrition.

The DSWD is committed to ensuring that appropriate training will be provided to PM counselors to ensure that couples are provided with extensive information to strengthen the foundation of the Filipino family and the practice of responsible parenthood.

The PMOC-TWG is chaired by the Commission on Population (POPCOM) with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) as its vice-chair. Other members of the PMOC include the DSWD, Department of Health (DOH), and the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). (PIA-NCR)