DAGUPAN CITY – A total of 346 indigent couples in this city exchanged their marriage vows in a Catholic wedding ceremony sponsored by the local government last December 6 at St. John the Evangelist Cathedral.

Mayor Belen T. Fernandez, together with Fourth District Representative Gina de Venecia, former House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr, and the Lingayen-Dagupan Archdiocese sponsored the mass wedding for unwed couples.

Also present during the ceremony were 2014 city fiesta hermano mayor Councilor Jeslito Seen, Councilor Jose Netu Tamayo, Councilor Alfie Fernandez, and punong barangays who also served as ninongs and ninangs to the married couples. Rev. Fr. Ariel Aquino from the St. Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort parish officiated the wedding ceremony.

Leonardo Acebedo, 54 and Darlina Velasco, 28, both visually impaired joined 345 couples who were married during the Mass Wedding. They have been living together for 10 years in Bonuan Boquig. Darlina is pregnant with their third child. (Punchphoto by Willie Lomibao)

Mayor Fernandez cited the importance of legalizing marital unions of live-in couples for every member of the family to avail of various benefits under the law.

Fernandez also reminded the newly-married couples to maintain respect, understanding, and love within the family unit, which in turn will result in a stronger community.

Meanwhile, de Venecia advised the hundreds of newlyweds to have a relationship built on trust and communication.

The city government paid for all the fees for their marriage license, Certificates of No Marriage (CENOMAR), and the pre-marriage counseling certificate courtesy of the City Population Office and Civil Registry Office.

The reception, meals, and gifts for the couples were also provided by the mayor, the congresswoman and other private sponsors.

“We are very happy that we are officially married,” newlyweds Leonardo and Darlina Velasco said. (CIO/Patrick Cendreda)

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