The DSWD Regulatory Services and Institutional Development Group (RSIDG), through the DSWD Academy and the Standards Bureau, has partnered with the Provincial Government of Abra, through the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), for the Pre-Marriage Counseling Training and Accreditation being held from September 29 to October 2, 2026, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Zone 7, Bangued, Abra.

The four-day training brings together MSDWOs, RHU nurses, and Local Civil Registry personnel to strengthen their knowledge and counseling skills in guiding couples as they prepare for the responsibilities of marriage.

In his welcome remarks, Governor Eustaquio P. Bersamin reaffirmed the PGA’s support for initiatives that promote responsible relationships and stronger families. Meanwhile, DSWD Undersecretary Denise Florence B. Bragas, MD, RSW emphasized the vital role of frontline workers in delivering responsive social welfare services.

Sessions cover the legal bases of pre-marriage counseling and the Family Code, the Pre-Marriage Counseling Program, social work counseling, basic counseling microskills, and counseling approaches, equipping participants to provide meaningful guidance to couples.

Through this initiative, DSWD, PGA, and Abra’s LGUs continue to invest in stronger families, built through informed preparation, compassionate guidance, and shared responsibility.