In Civil Law, marriage is a special contract of permanent union between a man and a woman entered into in accordance with law for the establishment of a conjugal and family life. In Canon Law or any other religious sect or congregation to which any of the parties to the marriage belongs, it is a commitment and covenant between the couple and God.
But whatever legal or spiritual implications this ceremony may have, one sector of our society simply pledge their love through traditions and cohabitation with one another. For to put food on the table is their priority. Not even a family home as they are nomads.
Marriage may not be within the ambit of Indigenous Peoples’ (IPs) awareness but now, they openly embrace it as they become active members of the society participating in any social activity. Thus, the concept of marriage is something that appeals to them and would like their marriage to have a stamp of legal force and effect recognized by civil courts.
Traditionally, marriage among the IPs were solemnized by tribal leaders and only a written document kept on their level served as evidence of the ceremony. Hence, the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 02 through the Modified Conditional Cash Transfer (MCCT) Team of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program thought of granting the IPs wish of a civil wedding.
In partnership with the Municipality of San Mariano, Isabela through the Local Civil Registrar and the National Commission on Indigenous People, the MCCT Team managed to gather 5 couple from Barangays Minanga and Tappa. These couple belong to the Calinga and Ibanag tribes of the Cagayan Valley region.
The couple underwent marriage counseling and all prerequisite wedding activities. The ceremony was officiated by San Mariano, Isabela Mayor Dean Anthony Domalanta and witnessed by some barangay officials, relatives, sponsors and MCCT IP Team.
Inspired by the positive outcome of the first civil wedding for its clientele, the MCCT IP Team plans to conduct the 2nd batch of mass wedding for fifty four (54) unwed Agta couple in San Mariano, Isabela come February 2016.
With MCCT working to enable the IPs to overcome the barriers of enjoying the social protection services of the government and in empowering them to take part in decision-making processes for local development, MCCT IP Team of Cagayan Valley will ensure that the “Katutubos” in the region will not only enjoy the cash grants given to them for their children’s education and health. That beyond these cash grants, the program ultimately hopes for them to be empowered so that they may be able to actively participate in key community activities addressing poverty issues. Educating them on their rights and privileges, such as marital rights, privileges and obligations, is a step toward self-sufficiency.
While education and health of IP children is the focus of the program, the solemnity of a marriage between the couple is as essential as these basic needs of the children as the family’s foundation is rooted on the couple’s union. The fact that these couple understood the importance of marriage in the society beyond their empty stomachs and unstable houses is a testament to the program’s positive impact in educating them through Family Development Sessions. ### By: RICHELLE M. CATLURAN, MCCT IP Facilitator; Gela Flor R. Perez, Regional Information Officer II