KIDAPAWAN CITY (MindaNews/14 February) – A total of 971 poor couples across eight cities in Mindanao who had been living together for years were married today in what was dubbed the biggest free civil weddings or ‘Kasalang Bayan’ in the Philippines.
They were among the 4,439 couples all over the country that said “I Do’s” in mass weddings spearheaded by the Pagibig Fund.
Pagibig said that in Mindanao, 105 couples were married in Kidapawan City, 106 in Zamboanga City, 129 in Pagadian City, 100 in Malaybalay City, 75 in Valencia City, 152 in Butuan City, 89 in Davao City, 105 in Tagum and 110 in General Santos City.
The Pagibig Fund said it wants people to attach February 14 to their institution through mass weddings they would conduct during Valentine’s Day.
The Fund, through help from at least 31 local government units (LGU) all over the country, provided meals for the newly-weds, wedding rings, giveaways and raffle items.
It gave away a “Kabuhayan” package worth P25, 000 and a house and lot worth P.4 million.
In an email, Pagibig’s communications department here said that a couple may avail of the program if at least one of them is a Fund member.
“In Kidapawan City, it was the LGU that chose the couples who would avail of the free civil weddings. As long as the couple qualifies, then they can participate IN the activity,” the agency said.
The mass weddings, it said, would further reinforce the image of Pagibig Fund as an institution that takes care of its members.
“It would also develop a sense of loyalty among its members as they are provided incentives, like free civil weddings,” it added. (Malu Cadelina Manar/MindaNews)