Thirty-six long time couples in Pavia, Iloilo marked this year’s Valentine’s Day with a civil wedding ceremony solemnized by Mayor Michael Gorriceta.

Of the 36 couples who tied the knot at the Pavia Covered Gym, 30 are beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

“We initiated this first mass wedding in support of the programs of our local Civil Registry, the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office, and Pantawid Pamilya program to legalize the unity of couples who have long been living together in the same roof and for them to be properly registered,” said Gorriceta.

MSWDO Luzviminda Sanchez said the local government unit of Pavia provided all the wedding essentials of the couples, from the themed venue adorned with heart-printed balloons, to the wedding cakes and wines, to photo souvenirs. The different Barangay Councils also helped raise fund for the wedding rings of their constituents.

Newly-married couple Adela and Lito Sandoval of Brgy. Pagsanga-an was one of the Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries who availed of the free mass wedding. They have been together for 22 years and have three children.

“Sobra gid ko ya nga nalipay kay nami gid ya kung kasal na! (I am so happy because finally, I am married)” said Adela with a wide grin.

“Subong, kampanti ang paminsaron ko nga mainsakto mga records ka mga kabataan. Kay sang una, kung pangitaan kami marriage contract, wala kami mapakita, ti damo pa pamangkot (My mind is at peace now because the records of my children would be straightened. Before, we would be subjected to a lot of questions whenever we’re asked of our marriage contract and we cannot produce such),” said Lito.

The mass wedding was witnessed by DSWD6’s Assistant Regional Director for Administration Evangeline Felecio, DSWD’s Management Audit Analyst Lydia Pillado, Pantawid Pamilya Provincial Link Erlyn Garcia and Social Welfare Officer III Maribel Gabayoyo. (DSWD6/ Alma Jornadal-Estember)