Couples prefer to live in? Marriages down in Central Visayas

CEBU, Philippines - The population in Central Visayas had already reached more than 6 million based on the 2007 figures recently released by the National Statistics Office.

The same figures, on the contrary, show that the number of marriages decreased by over 1,000 compared to the 2005 data.

The figures, according to NSO officials, are giving them the impression that many couples have decided to live together without the matrimony of marriage because of financial difficulty.

“Tinuod na… dili imposible nga daghang mga couples nga nakahukom nga magpuyo bisan dili makasal tungod sa kamahal sa gasto,” said Firmo Deputado, Cebu provincial statistics officer.

NSO-7 director Ariel Florendo says they do not encourage couple to live together without the matrimony of marriage.

Based on the statistics released by the NSO yesterday, the number of marriages registered in their office from 2005 to 2007 has decreased. The data shows that in 2005 there were 37,961 marriages registered. The number went down to 36,325 in 2006 and slightly bounced back to 36,796 in 2007.

Financial crisis was seen as the primary reason why lovers do not bind themselves into lifetime commitments.

Florendo said that in remote barangays marriage would cost at least P50,000 and could be more in urban areas like Cebu City.

The NSO however said there are also advantages in getting married early. Among the advantages, the NSO said, is that their children will be old enough to take care of themselves before you reached your retirement age.

Another advantage is that the couple will get a new house early and start younger to learn to be independent.

While the single tends to spend a lot of money, the marriage people will be forced to save their income for their family. Out of the region’s 6,398,628 population as of 2007 census, the NSO said Cebu has the highest number of residents.

Cebu province has 3,848,919 excluding Cebu City, Mandaue City and Lapulapu City, while Bohol has 1,230,110; Negros Oriental has 1,231,904 and Siquijor has 87,695.

Cebu City now has a population of 798,809; Mandaue City has 318,575 and Lapulapu City, 292,530. – Rene U. Borromeo/FPL (THE FREEMAN)