105 couples say ‘I Dos’ in free civil weddings

KIDAPAWAN CITY -- At least 105 couples here, who had been living together for years now, said "I Do's" Thursday in what was dubbed as the biggest free civil weddings or "Kasalang Bayan" in the Philippines.

The newly-weds here joined the 4,439 couples all over the country that also said "I Do's" in mass weddings the Pag-Ibig Fund had spearheaded.

Of the total number of couples, 971 come from Mindanao.

Aside from Kidapawan City, the mass weddings were held in eight other key cities that included Zamboanga City, 106 couples; Pagadian City, 129; Malaybalay City, 100; Valencia City, 75; Butuan City, 152; Davao City, 89; Tagum City, 105; and General Santos City, 110.

The Pag-Ibig Fund wants people to attach February 14 to their institution through mass weddings they will conduct during Valentine's Day.

Through help from at least 31 local government units all over the country, Pag-Ibig provided meals for the newly-weds; wedding rings; giveaways; and raffle items.

The Pag-Ibig Fund has given a "Kabuhayan" package worth P25, 000; and a major prize, which is a house and lot package worth P.4 million.

In an e-mail, the communications department of the Pag-Ibig Fund here said that before they chose any couple to avail of the program, one of them should be a Fund member.

"In Kidapawan City, it was the LGU (local government unit) that chose the couples who would avail of the free civil weddings. As long as the couple qualifies, then, they can participate the activity," the Pag-Ibig Fund said.

The mass weddings, they said, would further reinforce the image of Pag-Ibig Fund as an institution that takes care of its members.

"It would also develop sense of loyalty among its members as they are provided incentives, like, free civil weddings," the communications department said. (Malu Cadelina Manar)