Those familiar with the regulatory function of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) may be surprised to learn that the agency also accredits pre-marriage counselors (PM) who provide counseling services to engaged couples ages 18 to 25 years old.
According to Division Chief (DC) Anna Maria Alexa Ledesma of the DSWD’s Standards Bureau (SB), pre-marriage counseling service is a professional way of guiding or assisting engaged couple as they decide to formalize their union through marriage.
“Ito po yung ino-offer sa mga magpapakasal na 18 to 25 years old, required po ito per the Family Code of the Philippines, dahil po kinikilala na ang pamilya ay isang mahalagang aspeto po dito sa Pilipinas. So ino-offer po itong programa na ito sa mga magpapakasal,” DC Ledesma explained during an interview on Saturday (May 3) over the DSWD-Teleradyo partnership program, ‘Serbisyong DSWD for Every Juan.’
Under Executive Order (EO) No. 209 or The Family Code of the Philippines, the DSWD is mandated to accredit social workers and/or professionals, both from the private and public sectors, that are offering PM services for soon-to-wed couples aged 18 to 25 years old before they secure a marriage license.
On the other hand, contracting parties 18 to 25 years old may also secure their pre-marriage counseling certificates from the priest, minister, or imam (Muslim priest) who will solemnize their marriage. Said solemnizing officers are exempted from being accredited as PM counselors by the DSWD.
Interested professionals who have at least four-year courses with counseling as part of the curriculum or practice such as social work, nursing, or any behavioral and social sciences are required to secure their PM counseling accreditation clearance from the agency, through the DSWD Academy free of charge.
“Mas pinadali na rin po natin yung ating process of accreditation. Ngayon po pupunta na lamang sila sa DSWD Academy na online link sa website where they can get the schedule of the training and then, after that, kasama na rin po yung pagpasa ng mga requirements po natin,” DC Ledesma said.
Through the revitalized DSWD Academy, the agency is committed to ensuring that appropriate training is provided to PM counselors to guarantee that engaged couples are given extensive information to strengthen the foundation of the Filipino family and the practice of responsible parenthood.
The topics discussed in PM counseling sessions include acceptance and appreciation of their own uniqueness and of their future partner, understanding individual differences, importance of communication in marriage, and expression of lifetime commitment.
Courses and training opportunities on PM counseling, as required for the accreditation of PM counselors, can be accessed at: https://academy.dswd.gov.ph/training-courses_2025/.
Accreditation forms and requirements pursuant to DSWD Memorandum Circular No. 20 series of 2024 may be accessed through the Standards Bureau’s website: https://standards.dswd.gov.ph/pre-marriage-counselling.
The ‘Serbisyong DSWD for Every Juan’ is anchored by veteran anchor Alvin Elchico together with Information Officer Bianca Piedad-Tamondong of the DSWD’s Traditional Media Service (TMS). It airs every Saturday from 11 am to 12 noon at DWPM Radyo 630. #