JORDAN, Guimaras – A total of 93 couples tied the knot in free civil mass weddings in various municipalities in the province of Guimaras last month which was the Civil Registration Month.
The couples officially formalized their union in Buenavista (nine), Jordan (25), Nueva Valencia (47), and Sibunag (12).
“The free mass weddings in Buenavista and Jordan municipalities were done on Valentine’s Day while the Sibunag mass wedding was on Feb. 20,” said Provincial Statistical Officer Nelida Losare.
Three nuptials were held in Nueva Valencia in a separate venue with a total of 47 couples. Thirteen pairs got married in Barangay Igang on Feb. 15 while the other seven and 27 partners exchanged vows in Barangay Concordia on Feb. 22 and Barangay Lanipe on Feb. 24, respectively.
Losare admired the oldest couple (groom 82 years old, bride 79 years old) from Barangay Igang, convinced by their children to finally said “yes, I do” before the solemnizing officer.
The mass weddings in each municipality were solemnized by their respective mayors – Eugenio Reyes for Buenavista, Ruben Corpuz for Jordan, Emmanuel Galila for Nueva Valencia, and Annabelle Samaniego for Sibunag.
“Vice mayors and Sangguniang Bayan members also witnessed the weddings” Losare said.
The free mass weddings were sponsored by the local government of each municipality, paying all expenses for the CENOMAR (certificate of no marriage), marriage license applications, venues, cakes, wines, and the rings.
Losare said the wedding cured the problem of illegitimate children.
She reminded the couples to always check the entries on their civil registry documents before affixing their signatures to avoid problems in the future./PN
