LCR-GSC CONDUCTS KSONG BLAAN SEMINAR

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (May 20, 2022) - The Local Government Unit of General Santos City under the City Mayor’s Office-Integrated Cultural Communities Affairs Division conducted its Ksong Blaan (Blaan Wedding) Seminar for Tribal Chieftains-Solemnizing Officers held at Kasfala Hall BLDG, Matalam Street, Barangay Dadiangas East, General Santos City.

Invited as resource speakers was the Marriage Section Chief, Mr. Dexter L. Emperial, and together with him was the Assistant Department Head, Ma’am Marlene C. Pelayo. They have discussed Administrative Order No. 1 Series of 2021, the Republic Act 11596, and Article 34 of the Family Code of the Philippines.

Administrative Order No. I Series of 2021 pertains for the amendments on the implementing rules and regulations governing the registration of authority to solemnize marriage with the Civil Registrar General of Bishops, Heads/Founders of Religions and Religious Sections, Priests, Rabbis, Imams, Religious Ministers, Tribal Heads/Leaders/ Chieftains, Community Elders, and other designated authorities.

The Republic Act 11596 is An Act Prohibiting the Practice of Child Marriage and Imposing Penalties for Violations Thereof. In the pursuit of this policy, the State shall abolish all traditional and cultural practices and structures that perpetuate, discrimination, abuse, and exploitation of children such as the practice of child marriage.

The Article 34 of Family Code of the Philippines stated that “No license shall be necessary for the marriage of a man and a woman who have lived together as husband and wife for at least five years and without any legal impediment to marry each other. The contracting parties shall state the foregoing facts in an affidavit before any person authorized by law to administer oaths. The solemnizing officer shall also state under oath that he ascertained the qualifications of the contracting parties and  found no legal impediment to the marriage.”