BAGUIO CITY – The city government here spearheaded by the City Social Welfare and Development Office is inviting couples, especially those who are living together without the benefit of marriage to join the mass wedding on September 29 at the Baguio Convention Center.
The mass wedding is one of the highlights of the Family Month celebration and the 107th Charter Day celebration of this mountain resort this coming September.
The family, as the basic unit of the community is better strengthened with legalization through a wedding, thus, CSWDO head Betty Fangasan urged couples to take advantage of the opportunity to legalize their union after having lived together for years or had a child or several children together as well as young couples who cannot afford to tie the knot because of financial constraints.
Interested couples more than 25 years old and who have been living together for more than five years are required to secure the following: community tax certification; birth certificates; certificate of no marriage from the Philippine Statistics Authority; and an affidavit of cohabitation from the public attorney’s office or any legal officer.
For applicants securing a Marriage License at the Local Civil Registrar’s Office, they must first obtain certificate of no marriage (CENOMAR) from the PSA and attend Pre-Marriage Counseling at the City Health Office scheduled every Tuesday from 1 PM to 5PM and Thursday from 8 AM to 12 Noon.
Parents’ consent is needed for 18 to 20 years old applicants and parents’ advice for 21 to24 years old applicants.
The applicants must submit the Marriage License or Affidavit of Cohabitation at the CSWDO not later than September 7, Wednesday.
A Marriage Enrichment Seminar must be attended by the couples on September 20, 8:30 AM at the Baguio City Multi-Purpose Hall.
For further inquiries, interested couples can go directly to the CSWDO or call telephone numbers 442-3842 or 442-7893. **Jho Arranz
