ILOILO City – There is no mountain high or river wide enough – not even the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) – to stop sweethearts from getting married.
From February 2020, the pre-onset of the pandemic in Western Visayas, until Feb. 9 this year, a total 248 couples tied the knot before Mayor Jerry Treñas as the officiating authority.
Treñas hoped these couples would have a meaningful family life and endless love.
“Despite the challenges this pandemic has brought to the city, they remain steadfast with their love for each other. I am honored to have officiated their weddings,” the city mayor said.
Last year, the city government held a mass wedding right on Valentine’s Day. Dubbed as “Love Day Mass Wedding,” Treñas wed a total of 19 couples.
That time, COVID-19 was yet to reach this southern city.
The first case in the country was reported on Jan. 20, 2020, and the virus reached Western Visayas on March 20 with Bacolod City having the first confirmed case.
A few days later, the provinces of Iloilo and Capiz also logged their respective first confirmed cases and eventually other areas in the region, including Iloilo City.
With stringent protocols against the virus, there will be no mass wedding in this southern city today.
Weddings being held at the office of the city mayor are scheduled by batches with a limited number of couples to ensure that minimum health protocols, especially social distancing, are followed.
The next schedule of civil wedding in the city will be on Feb. 16./PN
