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Tweet 0BINAY OFFICIATES MASS WEDDING AT CITY HALL TODAY
posted by : icrd on 05/30/2012As part of the ongoing celebration of 342nd Araw na Makati, Mayor Jejomar Erwin S. Binay will solemnize the traditional mass civil wedding dubbed “Kasalang Bayan” at City Hall this afternoon at 4pm.
A total of 29 couples who have decided to tie the knot after over five years of living together will take their vows before Binay in the city-sponsored ceremony. To participate as principal sponsors are Actg. City Administrator and Makati Social Welfare Department Head Marjorie A. de Veyra, the City Councilors, and one ninong (godfather) and ninang (godmother) personally chosen by the bride and groom.
Binay said the project is for the benefit of unmarried couples in the city who have been cohabitating for several years.
“The traditional Kasalang Bayan is aimed to legally unite live-in couples, particularly those who have been unable to get married due to financial constraints. Since it is free, the beneficiaries need not worry about expenses for the wedding as well as the reception,” the mayor said.
After the wedding ceremony, the newlyweds will also be treated to a reception with the usual trappings, including cake-cutting, the wedding toast, and gift-giving.
Prior to the wedding day, the beneficiaries underwent orientation, Pre-Marriage Counselling, and Family Planning, among others. They were also asked to submit necessary documents for marriage as provided in article 34 of the Family Code of the Philippines.
The city government through the Makati Social welfare Department (MSWD) organized the mass civil wedding. Through public announcements, the MSWD invited live-in couples residing in Makati who have been living together for five years or more, without legal impediments, with or without children, and are both of legal age, to avail themselves of the program.