BAGUIO CITY– In line with the National Family Month this coming September, the city government of Baguio will once again sponsor a mass wedding in the afternoon of September 22 at the Baguio Convention Center.
Young couples, live-in partners with children are urged and encouraged to join the occasion.
Interested couples aging more than 25 years old and who have lived-in for more than five years are required to secure community tax certificates (CEDULAs) at the treasury office. Together with their birth certificates, the couple must also secure a certificate of no marriage (CENOMAR) from the Philippines Statistics Authority (PSA). In place of a marriage contract, they must execute an Affidavit of Cohabitation from the public attorney’s office (PAO) or any legal officer.
Applicants securing a marriage license at the local civil registrar’s office must first obtain certificates of no marriage (CENOMAR) from the PSA, attend pre-marriage counseling (PMC) at the health service office located at T. Alonzo Street which is scheduled every Tuesday from 1PM to 5PM and every Thursday from 8 AM to 12 noon.
The marriage contract or affidavit of cohabitation must be submitted to the City Social Welfare and Development Office, Upper Session Road not later than September 4.
The couples must also acquire tree planting certificates from the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO), City Hall. They must apply at the CEPMO at least two days before the scheduled tree planting. The tree planting schedule is Monday or Wednesday from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM.
Couples aging 18 to 20 need parents’ consent while couples aging 21 to 24 need parents’ advice.
They will be required to attend Marriage Enrichment Seminar on Sept. 12 at 8:30 AM at the Baguio City multi-purpose hall.
The mass wedding is an institutionalized activity of the city government through the CSWDO during the month-long city’s celebration of family week.
CSWD officer Betty Fangasan stressed that the city government wants to help couples who are living together without the benefits of legalizing their partnership considering the expenses needed for a wedding celebration. Because of this, we are providing them an opportunity to legalize their relationship as husband and wife without spending too much. **Jho Arranz
