By Gideon C. Corgue
So declared Lapuyan Mayor Daylinda Sulong during the mass wedding ceremony held on Wednesday at
Sulong, dressed in Subanen attire, officiated the mass wedding involving 395 couples, during the 3rd anniversary of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) on May 30.
Sulong said the couples, composing of Muslims, Subanens, and Christians had been living together for years without the benefit of marriage. They were wed free of charge which was initiated by the local government unit through the Office Civil Registrar and MSWDO.
“You have now the marriage certificate. These documents are your proofs that you are legally married. You can also use these as requirement in enrolling your children in school, claim your benefits in 4Ps, and etc.,” the local chief executive announced amidst thunderous applause of appreciation from the newly weds and guests..
The mass wedding, Sulong said, are usually intended for indigent couples who would want to avail matrimony but cannot afford the costs it entails.
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD9) regional director Teodulo Romo, the guest of honor and who stood as one of the principal sponsors, enjoined them to respect and love each other and not to let their marriage go to waste.
Romo said upon seeing the couples happily walking ionthe red carpet, he could only compare his experience when he got married 33 years ago with only very few people witnessing the event. “But in this ceremony, the whole community is gathered together to witness the milestone event,” he added.
”Akong gidayeg ang inyong mayor sa suporta nga iyang gihatag sa mga katawhan nga nakahatag ug dakong kalampusan sa 4Ps dinhi sa inyong lungsod. Iseguro nako kaninyo nga akong ipahibalo kang Secretary Soliman nga lig-on ug buhi kaayo ang pangtimbayayong sa mga buhatan sa nasudnong kagamhanan ug sa kagamhanang lokal dinhi sa inyong dapit( I praise your mayor for the support she has given to the people because which it contributed to the great success of 4Ps in your municipality. Rest assured, I will inform Sec. Soliman that the partnership of the national government and local government unit is very strong and alive),” Romo said in Visayan language who spoke the language all throughout his speech.
Meanwhile, Muslim couple Dahab Luwag, 70, and wife Mohaya, 40, of barangay Tingalay, who lived together for more than a decade with only a son said they were very happy to avail the program saying that they can now enjoy all the legal rights of marriage.
Christian couple Gary Duhalylungsod, 50, and wife Marcelina, 40, of barangay Malipayon shared the same observation. The couple who are blessed with six children, said they took the opportunity of joining the program saying that they could not afford to spend money for a church wedding and besides their children are already teenagers.
The processes and documents are given for free to the said couples who benefit from the mass weddings.
Among those who witnessed the event and standing also as principal sponsors were vice mayor Joel Sulong, Sangguniang Bayan officials, and chiefs of offices. (JPA/GCC-PIA 9, Zambosur)