CPD calls for strengthening families that ‘come in many forms,’ amid marriage decline

The Commission on Population and Development (CPD) has called for “innovative solutions” and a “whole-of-society approach” to strengthen families, as data showed a decline in marriages.

“The decline in marriages reflects changing realities as families of today come in many forms," CPD executive director Lisa Grace Bersales said Thursday in a statement.

“Policymakers, government agencies and organizations should continue working together to strengthen the family, the basic unit of our society,” she added.

Citing data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), CPD said marriages from 2022 to 2023 declined by 7.8%.

Meanwhile, there are more children born outside marriage (642,728) compared to those born to couples in formal union (605,794).

CPD also noted that of the total registered marriages in 2023, 42.9%, or 177,627 marriages, were contracted through a civil ceremony.

This is equivalent to a 0.4 percentage point decrease from 2022 (43.3% share).

CPD said 12,630 marriages in 2023 involved adolescent females below 20 years old, which is four times more than the number of marriages involving adolescent males (3,058 or 0.7% share).

To address the evolving patterns of marriage and cohabitation, CPD said there is a need for comprehensive programs and policies.

This includes social protection for non-traditional family arrangements.

“While we uphold marriage as a sacred institution, we must also protect couples who choose alternative arrangements and ensure the welfare of every individual, ensuring no family is left behind in our nation's development,” Bersales said. — Mariel Celine Serquiña/BM, GMA Integrated News