ILOILO City – As the community outreach program “Pag-ulikid sang Syudad” spreads to more barangays, it has included free civil wedding as part of the services it offers.
Over the weekend, three couples availed themselves of this new city government service in Barangay Gustilo, La Paz district.
“The goal of this is to legalize and strengthen the union of unmarried couples in Iloilo City and at the same time promote, preserve and protect the family,” said Mayor Jose Espinosa III.
In including free civil wedding in “Pag-ulikid”, Espinosa said unmarried couples face a lot of disadvantages. For one, he said, these couples find it hard to have their children enrolled in school because they have no marriage certificates to present.
Some find it hard to have their children baptized in church because they do not have marriage certificates, he added.
“Pag-ulikid” served over 6,500 people over the weekend – more than 1,500 in Barangay Compania Central in Molo; over 3,000 in Barangay Gustilo, La Paz; and over 2,000 in Barangay Caingin, also in La Paz.
They availed themselves of the following free services:
* dental and medical services
* circumcision
* identification cards for senior citizens
* dog anti-rabies vaccination and neutering
“All of the city government’s achievements would amount to nothing if it could not care for its constituents,” according to Espinosa.
This was why “Pag-ulikid” was conceptualized, he said.
Those having issues with birth certificates and marriage contracts were assisted over the weekend.
The city government also distributed wheelchairs and canes to poor persons with disabilities and senior citizens; jetmatic pumps; and sports equipment such as basketballs, volleyballs and chessboards.
“It’s fulfilling for us in the city government to serve people, especially those in great need,” said Espinosa.
City government offices actively involved in the community outreach program are the City Health Office and its Dental Health Division, Office of Senior Citizens Affairs, City Veterinarian’s Office, and City Civil Registry Office./PN
