What Iloilo couples should know before getting a marriage license

By Mariela Angella Oladive

ILOILO CITY – The Iloilo Provincial Government is strengthening its pre-marriage counseling services after gathering more than 250 practitioners and partner agencies for its first Responsible Parenthood and Family Development Summit on Aug. 18.

Held at Diversion 21 Hotel in Iloilo City, the summit convened members of the Pre-Marriage Orientation and Counseling (PMOC) Teams from the province’s 42 municipalities and one component city.

Organized by the Office of the Provincial Population Officer (PPO), the summit aimed to build the capacity of frontline practitioners handling pre-marriage orientation and to close gaps in program implementation.

Themed “Bridging Gaps, Building Futures,” the summit featured discussions on marriage, family relationships, mental health, and responsible parenthood.

Retired Judge Globert Justalero discussed the legal foundations of marriage under the Family Code of the Philippines.

Dr. Diane Cacho of the Tawili Foundation for Social and Educational Development tackled responsible parenthood and healthy family relationships.

Don Sasu of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office introduced the provincial government’s PRIME (Program for Resilience of Iloilo in Mind and Emotion) Helpline, a mental health program.

In his keynote address, Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. urged support for PRIME, particularly in promoting the responsible use of social media in addressing mental health concerns.

Defensor also underscored the role of responsible parenthood in addressing mental health concerns among the youth.

Provincial Population Officer Von Superio, for his part, highlighted the role of families in shaping future generations.

“The strength of a nation is rooted in the strength of its families,” he said.

He said the province’s investment in family development includes the establishment of Family and Youth Development Centers (FYDCs) across Iloilo.

According to Superio, the provincial government has invested nearly PHP 200 million in FYDCs over the past two and a half years.

Of the 31 centers in various stages of construction, three have already been inaugurated in Igbaras, Lemery, and Batad.

“Before the end of Governor Defensor’s term in 2028, our goal is to establish FYDCs across all 42 municipalities and one component city of the Province,” he said.

The PMOC Teams in each local government unit include representatives from the PPO, the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office, the Municipal Health Office, and the Local Civil Registry Office.

They provide would-be couples with information on marriage and relationships, responsible parenthood, family planning, pregnancy, child care, and other concerns related to family life.

Pre-marriage counseling is not optional in the Philippines. Article 16 of the Family Code requires applicants for a marriage license who need parental consent or parental advice to submit a certificate showing they have received marriage counseling.

Republic Act 10354, the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012, adds a second requirement, directing local family planning offices to certify that applicants have received adequate instruction on responsible parenthood, family planning, breastfeeding, and infant nutrition.

Local civil registrars cannot issue a marriage license without those certificates, which places PMOC Teams at the entry point of every legal marriage in the province.