A TOTAL of 220 couples in Bacolod City, who were all wearing surgical face masks for protection from the infectious coronavirus disease (Covid-19), tied the knot in rites dubbed as “Kasalan ng Bayan:220 on 02-20-2020” officiated by Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia at the Bacolod Government Center Thursday afternoon.

The mayor was joined by city officials, who served as principal sponsors, including Congressman Greg Gasataya and Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran.

Also present were Luis Gonzales of the Philippine Statistics Authority-Negros Occidental, and City Civil Registrar Hermilo Pauyon.

Before the ceremony, the City Health Office (CHO) provided free hand sanitizer and masks for the couples as well as to the people inside the Bacolod Government Center.

‘Due to Convid-19 issue, the mayor earlier sought guidance from Dr. Marlyn Convocar of the Department of Health for holding the mass wedding in the city.

Leonardia assured the DOH that they will take into account and diligently implement preventive measures against Covid-19.

“Through your regular updates on the Covid-19 status in the region and the vigilant measures undertaken by our Bacolod Inter-Agency Task Force against Covid-19, we feel confident that we are properly addressing this health emergency,” Leonardia said.

Familiaran said most of the couples were on long relationships and now they finally tied the knot.

“Put God above first, then the rest will follow. The Lord almighty will do the rest. Love your husband and wife ‘til death do us part,” he said.

He added it’s already the tradition of the local government to have mass wedding every February.