Free marriage counseling program proposed in BARMM

COTABATO CITY ― To strengthen family ties and avoid the occurrence of marital conflicts, several Bangsamoro lawmakers are pushing a measure aimed at establishing a free marriage counseling program in the region.

Parliament Bill No. 256, or the “Bangsamoro Free Marriage Counseling Program Act of 2023,” are concerted efforts of Members of Parliament Tawakal Midtimbang, Bassir Utto, Suwaib Oranon, Mudjib Abu, Mohammad Kelie Antao, and Mosber Alauddin.

Lawmakers said that the free marriage counseling program is tailored to the unique customs, traditions, beliefs, and interests of the Bangsamoro people.

The bill aims to provide couples and their families with essential knowledge about the requisites of marriage as well as the legal and personal ramifications of entering into matrimony.

To achieve this, the bill outlines the implementation of a free marriage counseling program, offering three distinct interventions: pre-marriage counseling, marriage enrichment counseling, and marital crisis counseling.

The program is designed to support couples at every stage of their marriage, from the pre-marriage phase to dealing with potential marital crises.

Upon the enactment of PB No. 256, the Ministry of Social Services and Development will develop and implement policies, guidelines, and programs related to marriage counseling, including the establishment of a marriage counseling framework that is aligned to the cultural and religious values of the Bangsamoro people.

The MSSD will likewise collaborate with various BARMM ministries, agencies, and offices to implement the proposed measure, including the Ministry of Interior and Local Government, the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, the Ministry of Health, and Bangsamoro Darul Ifta'.

All policies, guidelines, frameworks, and programs related to marriage counseling will be developed in accordance with the principles of Shariah.

MPs Atty. Sha Elijah Dumama-Alba, Dr. Hashemi Dilangalen, Dr. Kadil Sinolinding Jr., Abdulkarim Misuari, and Jaafar Apollo Mikhail Matalam are co-authors of PB No. 256. (LTAIS-Public Information, Publication, and Media Relations Division)