By Leah D. Agonoy
PAGADIAN CITY - Mayor Romeo Pulmones
officiated this year’s Kasalan ng Bayan with 89 couples saying “I Do” to their
partners last Feb. 14 at the Executive Function Hall, City Hall Complex here.
In his message, Pulmones thanked the couples in behalf
of the officials of Pagadian City for availing the ‘Kasalan ng Bayan’ saying
that securing their own marriage certificate is not only an advantage for them
as a couple but is most importantly for their children.
“Marriage is very important especially to your children
so they could be called as legitimate children,” the Mayor said.
“When your children want to join sports activities like
the division meet, regional meet or “Palarong Pambansa,” and if coaches and
sports officials doubt the real age of your children because they look older
than their age, they would be asked to present security paper (SECPA) from the NSO
as well as marriage certificate of their parents,” Pumones explained
Pulomes said the marriage certificate is part of the
requirements of the agencies hiring employees abroad.
“There are requirements that need your names in the
document that is why marriage certificates is also needed….”
“We are grateful that we have leaders in the city who
are supportive of the program. We have noticed that there are many would-be
couples would like to avail of the program and have seen the importance of the
wedding,” Pulmones said adding they are expecting more couples to avail of the
Kasalan ng Bayan next year.
Meanwhile, City Civil Registrar Officer Leonardo Acorda
related that in Pagadian City, the Kasalan ng Bayan started in 1999 and was
conducted through clustered barangays.
Acorda added that “every February we celebrate the
Civil Registration Month” pursuant to a memorandum issued by Philippine
Statistics Authority (PSA) enjoining all local civil registrars to initiate a
program like the “Kasalan ng Bayan.”
He added that the wedding would benefit most the couples’
children, as it would be more advantageous for them to be born to legally
married parents.
After the ceremony, Pulmones distributed awards to
pregnant bride who is nearest her delivery period, youngest pair and oldest pair.