ILOILO City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog told marrying couples to first plant a tree before he will officiate a civil wedding rite for them starting this month.
With this, Mabilog instructed the marrying couple to present a barangay certificate duly signed by a barangay official showing that they have planted a tree before their wedding date.
Mabilog admitted that he has revived the old practice of requiring couples to plant a tree before marriage and will also require a barangay certificate of tree planting soon before getting a mayor's permit at City Hall.
The new city mayor said he wanted the community to have a stake in greening the environment and their commitment to climate change. (Lydia C. Pendon)