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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Makati City launches online pre-marriage counseling

Makati City launches online pre-marriage counseling

Published Oct 23, 2020 03:37 pm

Amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the Makati Social Welfare Department (MSWD) has recently launched its Online Pre-Marriage Counseling service.

Mayor Abigail "Abby" Binay said this seeks to ensure the safety and convenience of couples applying for a marriage license.

The move was another “adaptive strategy” of the city government to make public services accessible in the safest way possible through the use of technology, she added.

“With this latest online service of City Hall, our constituents who wish to get married need not go out of their homes to comply with a prerequisite to marriage license application,” the mayor said.

Binay said that they intend to continuously innovate and reinvent the city's systems and processes.

"In these uncertain times, we must always be a step ahead to remain responsive to the needs of our constituents, and be able to provide quality services even during a crisis," Binay added.

Applicants for a marriage license ages 18 to 25 years old, under the 1987 Family Code, must personally attend a pre-marriage counseling conducted by an accredited counselor.

According to MSWD records before the pandemic, their pre-marriage counseling sessions held thrice a week were attended by 15 to 18 couples per session. Currently, sessions are conducted every day, for a maximum of four couples to observe social distancing and other safety protocols.

Through the online counseling service, it eyes to accommodate up to 15 couples per session.  

To avail, the city government said applicants should first call the MSWD Family and Men’s Welfare Section at 8870-1644 and provide their email address and contact information.

After that, they will be told to fill out the online registration forms for pre-marriage counseling and family planning, and wait for the confirmation of their schedule for the online counseling.

When the couples get a confirmation, they will then fill out the Marriage Expectation Inventory online.

"They may then proceed to the Miscellaneous Division at the 3rd floor of City Hall to pay P100 for the certificate. After attending the online session on the scheduled date, the couples will be given a certificate of attendance via their given email addresses."

According to the city, they need to present the certificate together with the official receipt to claim the Pre-Marriage Counseling certificate at the MSWD office located at the 4th floor of City Hall main building.

Online counseling participants of the sessions are required by the city to have  a stable and uninterrupted Internet connection with at least 5mbps Internet speed, a WebEx account, and a computer with a web camera and microphone.

"All participants are also asked to wear presentable attire during the session and asked to keep the video on while the audio is muted."

In June, Makati City launched he free Mask Garden Wedding for residents to accommodate couples who want to tie the knot even during the pandemic. Every week the mayor officiates the civil wedding ceremony at the Washington Sycip Park in Legaspi Village.

To prevent the spread of COVID-19, each couple is only allowed to bring up to six guests only to attend the wedding. As such,  attendees including the bride and groom, are required to wear face masks and face shields and observe health protocols such as social distancing.

Prior to the pandemic, Makati City conducted mass weddings for indigent couples wherein the city government provided the couple's wedding attire, the rings, the wedding cakes, and the venue.

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