A mass wedding is slated on Sept. 28 as part of the events planned for the Family Month observance in September.
City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWD) staff member Ellen Dayag said the venue is yet to be finalized as it will depend on the number of couples who will participate in the mass wedding.
Interested couples should submit the requirements on or before Sept. 5 at the CSWDO at Upper Session Road.
They must submit copies of their community tax certificate or any government ID, certificate of no marriage and birth certificates issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority, and a certificate from the City Environment and Parks Management Office indicating they have planted trees. Couples must apply at the Cepmo at least two days before the scheduled tree planting.
Applicants must also submit a copy of the Pre-Marriage Counselling Certificate issued by the City Health Services Office, marriage license with parents’ consent for those aged 18 to 20, and parents’ advice for couples 21 to 24 years old.
Applicants over 23 years old who have been living in for more than five years must submit the same requirements and an affidavit of cohabitation.
The affidavit of cohabitation may be acquired from the Public Attorney’s Office or any lawyer. The document is in place of a marriage license.
Councilor Betty Lourdes Tabanda who chairs on the committee on health and sanitation, ecology and environment protection said couples who need the affidavit of cohabitation may secure the document at her office at the city hall, free of charge.
The couple should present government IDs and birth documents of their child/children, if applicable, when securing the certificate. The city government institutionalized the conduct of mass wedding to lessen the expenses of couples who want to legalize their union. – Julie G. Fianza
