TACLOBAN CITY – Carlos Cabrales Awa-ao, Jr., 57 and Gina Lacbayen Lectojas, 48 both considers July 5, 2018, as the most memorable date in their companionship.
After several years of living together, the two were solemnized as a legal couple through Mayor Cristina G. Romualdez’s Mass Wedding Program – a regular program of the City Government through the City Civil Registrar’s Office (CCRO).
Mayor Romualdez solemnized the union of 54 couples from 18 barangays in the presence of Philippine Statistics Authority-8 Director Wilma A. Perante and CCRO chief Imelda Roa at the Tacloban City Training Center on Thursday, July 5.
The chief executive reminded the couples to remain steadfast in their relationships as this is not only a covenant among themselves but also with God.
The couples came from Barangays 3 Upper Nula-Tula, 5-A, 23-A Avenida Veteranos, 37-A Palanog, 39 Calvary, 44 Quarry, 62-B Sagkahan, 68 Anibong, 69 Anibong, 78 Marasbaras, 89 San Jose, 91 Abucay, 94 Tigbao, 97 Cabalawan, 100 San Roque, 105 San Isidro, 106 Sto. Nino North Hill Arbours, 110 and the Mission of Charity.
The application for marriage and the marriage license fees were waived for the beneficiaries of the ‘Kasalan ng Bayan’ Program, and a wedding reception was sponsored in their honor by the city government.
Before the wedding ceremony, the couples attended a marriage orientation activity and a health and wellness talk spearheaded by the City Population Office and the Special Health Program Unit of the city.
Meanwhile, Director Perante lauded the initiative of the city government to provide free marriage services to indigent Taclobanons, she said that the program will help minimize the number of illegitimate children and establish a strong foundation of couple and family life. (HENRY JAMES ROCA/CIO)