MLANG, COTABATO——At least 49 couples ended their live-in status and tied the knot at a mass wedding sponsored by the local government.
Mayor Russel M. Abonado administered the civil rites at the town gym witnessed by the couples’ parents, relatives and friends.
Abonado said the civil wedding would make legal the status as husbands and wives of the couples who had been living with each other for at least 10 years.
The mayor said being married would make it easy for the couples and their families to avail themselves of government programs and services like coverage by the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. and cash aid from the government through 4Ps.
Giving the couples legal married status would also lead to the recognition of their “children as legitimate,” Abonado said.
Officials of the local government served as wedding sponsors, or ninong and ninang. Abonado allowed the use of local government funds for cakes and banquet for the couples and their guests.
The mayor told the couples to live peaceful lives and rear their children according to the teachings of God.
“May love forever reign in your families,” said Abonado.