Pre-Marriage Orientation

and Counseling Manual

What is this PMOC Manual?
 Approved by the National Technical Working
Group for the PMOC composed of five (5) national
government agencies

 Provides guidance to the PMOC Team on the:

 Protocol of the PMOC Program
 How to conduct the PMO and PMC Sessions
 Minimum standard content of the Sessions
What is this PMOC Manual?
 Composed of two modules
 Module 1: Pre-Marriage Orientation is for the
use of the PMOC team members who will
conduct the orientation of the couple
applicants.
 Module 2: Pre-Marriage Counseling is for the
use of the team members who will conduct the
pre-marriage counseling sessions.
 Marriage Expectations
• The Manual also includes instructions on
the usage and administration of the
Marriage Expectations Inventory Form
• The results of the MEIF will be the basis in
planning the design of the PMO and PMC
Sessions
 MODULE 1
Pre-Marriage
Orientation (PMO)
 Major Areas of Discussion
• Topic One: Marriage and Relationships
• Topic Two: Responsible Parenthood
• Topic Three: Planning the Family
• Topic Four: Pregnancy and Child Care
 Content per Topic
• Each Topic has three to four sessions on the major
concepts and issues related to married life that
would-be couples will need in performing their roles
as husband and wife, and prepare them for the
challenges of married life and their responsibilities
as spouses, family members, and future parents.

• Each topic always end with a session on referral to

programs and services related to said topic to ensure
couples will know where to go in case they need
further information or actual service
 Structure of Sessions
Part Description
Introduction It provides a brief discussion of the rationale and overview
Time Allotment This indicate the expected duration of the discussion
Objectives of Each session will have its own objectives and key messages that
the Session need to be conveyed to the couple participants. These objectives
and messages shall guide the entire session and shall be
checked at the end of the session.
Activity This part provides instructions on the activities that may be
conducted to activate or bring out what the participants already
know or have experienced about the session’s topics.
Key Messages This part provides the key messages that the facilitators should
and Discussion convey to the participants for a particular topic. They are basic
messages that should be integrated in the processing of the
activity
Synthesis At the end of each major session, a synthesis of the learning is
provided to reinforce key messages
Topic One
MARRIAGE AND RELATIONSHIPS
 SESSION 1: MARRIAGE
Time Allotment 10 minutes
Objectives of • Articulate what marriage is and its purpose; and
the Session • Identify the requisites of marriage or the conditions to be met in
order for a marriage to be valid.
Activity Why do you want to get married?
Key Messages • Marriage is a binding legal contract between a man and a woman
for the establishment of conjugal and family life.

• Marriage is a binding legal contract between a man and a woman

for the establishment of conjugal and family life.

• With an understanding of the legal and social definition and

purpose of marriage, spouses should reflect on their readiness for
life-long commitment and preparation for requirements of
marriage.
 SESSION 2: ROLES AND RELATIONSHIPS
Time Allotment 10 minutes
Objectives of • Identify their would-be roles and obligations as husband and wife;
the Session • Explain how they can maintain harmonious relationship with the
family of their spouse (e.g in-laws and extended family); and
• Identify the challenges and approaches to nurture and strengthen
their married life.

Activity (1) Expectations on Marital Roles and Relationships

(2) Roles of Husband and Wife

Key Messages • Both husband and wife have shared responsibilities, duties, and
obligations in their married life, in establishing and raising the
family, and in encouraging and supporting each other’s personal
growth and development.

• Maintaining nurturing and harmonious relationship is not limited

between spouses but also with each spouse’s family.

• No marriage/relationship is perfect. There will always be

challenges, and all couples experience conflicts and issues along
their married life.
 SESSION 3:
ELEMENTS OF A HARMONIOUS RELATIONSHIP
Time Allotment 15 minutes
Objectives of • Identify and explain the factors that make a harmonious
the Session relationship and ways of strengthening and nurturing the marriage
of a couple.
• Explain the importance of maintaining good communication in
marriage.
Activity The Five Love Languages
Key Messages • To maintain harmony in marriage, a couple must have
commitment, good communication, empathy and understanding,
acceptance, and love, loyalty and respect. It is also important to
have sexual harmony, financial security, spiritual harmony, and
mutual helping.

• Shared and mutual effort from both spouses is necessary to make

these elements work.
 SESSION 4: OTHER RELATED LAWS ON MARRIAGE
Time Allotment 5 minutes
Objectives of • Articulate on the various provisions of Philippine laws that foster
the Session and protects marriage and the spouses’ rights within the marital
union.
Key Messages • In the Philippines, there are laws that provide the legal basis for
marriage as well as protect the individuals who go into the marital
union. Couples, before they get married, should get familiarized
with these laws so that they will know what their obligations are
under the law and how the law protects them when they are
married.
 SESSION 5:
SERVICES AVAILABLE FOR NURTURING MARRIAGE
Time Allotment 5 minutes
Objectives of • Be able to identify government services and programs they can
the Session avail of in regard to marriage and family.

Key Messages • Services and programs on enriching and nurturing marriage are
provided by the local government unit, as well as by
nongovernment and private organizations and some national
government agencies.
Topic Two
RESPONSIBLE PARENTHOOD
 SESSION 1: RESPONSIBLE PARENTHOOD
Time Allotment 10 minutes
Objectives of • Explain the meaning of family, responsible parenthood, and
the Session responsible parenting; and
• Elaborate on the elements of responsible parenthood.
Activity Family Visioning
Key Messages • The family is the basic unit of society. It is the wellspring of
strength and stability of a community and nation.

• Responsible parenthood is the ability and shared responsibility of

husband and wife to provide for and fulfill the aspirations of the
children and the family. Planning the number and timing of having
children to make sure that they will be healthy and well-provided
for is part of responsible parenthood

• Responsible parenting is the assumption of the joint responsibility

by husband and wife in decisions about having and nurturing
children, providing for the needs of the family and attaining family
aspirations, and positively contributing to community
development.
 SESSION 2: DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF PARENTS
Time Allotment 10 minutes
Objectives of • Be able to identify and explain the duties and responsibilities of
the Session parents.

Activity (1) Throwback

(2) Duties and Responsibilities of Parents

Key Messages • Parents have enormous duties and responsibilities toward their
children, as provided for by law. Knowing and understanding these
duties and responsibilities enables parents to apply them towards
their children today and in the future.
 SESSION 3:
EFFECTIVE PARENT-CHILD COMMUNICATION
Time Allotment 10 minutes
Objectives of • Be able to identify the ways of communicating effectively with their
the Session children in order to develop good parent-child relationship.

Activity Greatest Love of All

Key Messages • Communication is very important in maintaining harmonious

relationship. As such, communication between parents and
children is vital in guiding them through their growth and
development.
 SESSION 4: RIGHTS OF THE CHILD
Time Allotment 10 minutes
Objectives of • Be able to identify the rights of the child in preparation for their
the Session parenthood roles and the some ways to nurture these rights.

Key Messages • Children have rights and parents must respect and fulfill these
rights. Adopted children enjoy all of the same rights as the couple’s
natural children. How the children live and develop depends highly
on how parents make sure that they enjoy their rights.
 SESSION 5: HOME MANAGEMENT
Time Allotment 10 minutes
Objectives of • Identify the ways they can practice shared home management so
the Session that they can provide a safe, healthy, pleasant and secure home
environment for their children and the family.

Àctivity Maria Goes to the Market

Key Messages • Home management is the process of planning, controlling and
evaluating family resources to achieve family goals. It is a decision-
making activity shared by the couple. It helps families and couples
make maximum use of what they have to attain their goals and
aspirations.

• Proper and wise management of time, energy and family finances,

and the ability to foresee and prepare for future eventualities are
key elements to effective home management.
 SESSION 6:
SERVICES AVAILABLE FOR RESPONSIBLE PARENTHOOD
Time Allotment 5 minutes
Objectives of • Identify government services and programs they can avail of in
the Session regard to responsible parenthood.

Key Messages • Services on responsible parenthood are available in every locality,

provided by the LGU or nongovernment organizations. You only
need to get in touch with your barangay council or the local
government offices in your locality to find out what programs and
services are available.
Topic Three
PLANNING THE FAMILY
 SESSION 1: HUMAN SEXUALITY
Time Allotment 15 minutes
Objectives of • Explain the basic concept of human sexuality;
the Session • Identify the gender dimensions of human sexuality; and
• Explain the importance of understanding human sexuality for
married couples.

Activity Differences Between Males and Females

Key Messages • Human sexuality is a function of both the biological body a person
was born with, and his/her sexual feelings and preferences. There
are differences between male and female sexuality that couples
need to understand in order for them to satisfy each other’s sexual
needs and perform their respective roles in reproduction and
family formation.

• Respect for one another’s sexuality is part of sexual maturity, which

is necessary for husbands and wives to communicate effectively
and maintain sexual harmony. To achieve a happy, healthy
relationship, couples must recognize and accept their own and
their partner’s sexuality.
 SESSION 2: FERTILITY AWARENESS
Time Allotment 15 minutes
Objectives of • Explain fertility, the male and female reproductive system, the
the Session menstrual cycle, and the process of fertilization and implantation.

Activity My Reproductive System

Key Messages • The male and female reproductive systems complement each other.
Every part of the male reproductive system and of the female
reproductive system is designed to perform a function for the
purpose of producing an offspring, and of making the process of
reproduction a pleasurable experience for both the man and the
woman.

• An understanding of these parts and functions will enable the

couple to better appreciate the beauty and purpose of this
experience that they are going through together.
 SESSION 3: FAMILY PLANNING
Time Allotment 20 minutes
Objectives of • Explain family planning, its importance and benefits to the family
the Session and the various methods that couples can use to achieve their
fertility intentions.

Activity (1) Big Family, Small Family

(2) The Boat of Sinking

Key Messages • The number of children is a significant factor in the development of

the family and the community. In particular, large family size
directly affects the population of the community (e.g., when
families in a community have many children, the community
population will expectedly increase).

• Manageable population size is one of the major targets of national

socioeconomic and human development.

• Family planning saves lives, promotes family health and happiness

and work life balance.
 SESSION 4: STI/HIV PREVENTION
Time Allotment 10 minutes
Objectives of • Define and differentiate STI, HIV and AIDS;
the Session • Explain how HIV is transmitted from one person to another; and
• Learn how HIV and AIDS can be prevented, as well as treated and
managed.

Activity Types of STIs

Key Messages • STI and HIV infections are diseases that do not only affect the
health of an infected spouse but also the relationship between them
and among members of the family. Knowledge about these
diseases and how to prevent and them is a key in ensuring the
health of the couple and their family.

• To prevent STI and HIV infections, practice the ABCDE of

prevention.
 SESSION 5:
FP SERVICES AT PUBLIC HEALTH FACILITIES
Time Allotment 5 minutes
Objectives of • Identify government services and programs for family planning and
the Session other related services.

Key Messages • Services on family planning are available in every locality, provided
by the LGU or nongovernment organizations. Barangay health
workers or population volunteers are likewise doing house-to-
house visits to check on the health needs of the household. Engage
with them for FP referral services.
Topic Four
PREGNANCY AND CHILD CARE
 SESSION 1: SAFE PREGNANCY AND PRENATAL CARE
Time Allotment 15 minutes
Objectives of • Explain the concepts of pregnancy, male involvement, prenatal care,
the Session and the importance of building a family.

Activity Fetal Development

Key Messages • Pregnancy, also known as gestation, is the time during which, one
or more offsprings develop inside a woman. Childbirth typically
occurs around 40 weeks from the last menstrual period (LMP).

• The first trimester (1-3 months) is the most critical stage of

pregnancy. A pregnant mother needs to get prenatal care to ensure
safe and healthy pregnancy and childbirth.

• Pregnancy is a natural phenomenon and not a sickness.

• Pregnancy is a shared responsibility: “We are pregnant.” As such, it

is important that the husband or male partner should be one with
his spouse during her pregnancy.
 SESSION 2: FACILITY-BASED DELIVERY
Time Allotment 10 minutes
Objectives of • Explain the importance of facility-based delivery.
the Session
Key Messages • Delivering the baby in an accredited birthing facility ensures more
efficient attendance to the delivery and management of
emergencies and complications, thus lessening the risk to the life
and health of both mother and baby.
 SESSION 3: POSTNATAL CARE
Time Allotment 10 minutes
Objectives of • Explain the importance and specific activities for postnatal care.
the Session

Key Messages • During the postpartum period, which is the period beginning
immediately after the birth of a child and delivery of placenta and
continuing until about six weeks after, the mother and the baby
need to be seen by the doctor or health worker for needed
postnatal care.
• Birth Registration
• Postpartum Visit
• Postpartum Family Planning Services
 SESSION 4: CARING FOR THE BABY
Time Allotment 10 minutes
Objectives of • Explain the importance and proper provision of breastfeeding.
the Session

Key Messages • Breast milk can supply all the nutrition the baby needs for the first
6 months. Start giving complementary foods only at 6 months but
continue to breastfeed until the baby is 2 years old.
 SESSION 5:
AVAILABLE SERVICES FOR PREGNANCY AND CHILD CARE
Time Allotment 5 minutes
Objectives of • Identify government services and programs for maternal, newborn,
the Session and child health and nutrition (MNCHN).

Key Messages • Services Available for the Baby

• Newborn Screening (Early Detection of Disabilities)
• Immunization

• Services Available for the Mother

• Birth Plan
• Tetanus Toxoid Immunization
• PhilHealth Maternity Benefits
Thank you!
Commission on Population
Welfareville Compound, Acacia Lane, Mandaluyong City
Telephone Nos.: (632) 531-7051; (632) 531-6805
Fax: (632) 533-5122

Website: http://popcom.gov.ph
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