Tacloban City Mayor Cristina G. Romualdez officiated the wedding of 48 couples from 20 barangays at the City Training Center on August 24.  

The couples from barangays 6-A, 17, 39, 42-A, 43-A, 44, 48-A, 48-B, 49, 50, 57, 59-A, 60, 63, 65, 80,83-C, 88, 92 and 95 enjoyed the free Kasalan ng Bayan,  a regular program of the City Government through the City Civil Registrar’s Office (CCRO). Fees for Application for Marriage and Marriage License are waived by the CCRO and the City Government also sponsored a for the newlyweds.

The City Government of Tacloban sponsored the free Mass Civil Wedding with reception. Among the beneficiaries was 68-year-old couple Fausto and Rosita Abrogar. Rosita said there were unable to hold a wedding because of poverty. 

“Remain steadfast in your relationships as this is not only a covenant among yourselves, but also with God,” Mayor Romualdez told the couples prior to the ceremony. 

The mayor also officiated another free mass wedding organized by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology and the CCRO for 25 couples  at the Tacloban City Jail. 

“The Kasalang Bayan is an initiative of the City Government provided free to indigent Taclobanons who want to legitimize their relationship status, to minimize the number of illegitimate children and establish a strong foundation of couple and family life,” CCRO Chief Imelda Roa said.