TABUK CITY, Kalinga – The city government, through the Local Civil Registrar’s Office (LCR) and Acting City Mayor Dick Bal-o, organized a cost-free mass civil wedding for 50 couples at the Tabuk People’s Gymnasium in commemoration of Valentine’s Day.
The ceremony was attended by the families and friends of the couples with Bal-o emphasizing the significance of the event, stating, “You are fortunate to have this opportunity sponsored by the LCR.
“You are lucky nga ada daytuy nga oportunidad nga inisponsoran iti LCR, nagrigat iti ag-prepare iti kasar ta gastusam dayta ta ikkam ti oras ken gundaway,” Bal-o said, adding that through the LCR, they can now be legally bound for free, he continued saying “it’s challenging to plan a wedding due to its expense, but now, through the LCR, you can be legally married without charge.”
In his address, Bal-o commended the couples and expressed his appreciation for the large turnout, which he said was a first for him at a mass civil wedding.
The acting mayor emphasized the importance of marriage in providing legal recognition and documentation for the couples’ union, particularly in the context of their children’s future needs for official paperwork in areas such as education.
“Nasayaat didiay ta naduktalan yu ket agkaalaan kayu wennu mayat iti panag kadkadwa yu, isu nga ma-formalize thru a marriage contract,” he said.
He also underlined the significance of marriage as a permanent covenant, devoid of conditions and expiration dates.
“Marriage is not a temporary contract like a loan; it is not payable in installments,” he declared.
Finally, Bal-o encouraged the couples to prioritize mutual support and love rather than viewing marriage as a mere obligation.
“It is not enough for the husband to love the wife or the wife to love the husband. Show and express your love for your partner. Make sacrifices, just as you would for your family or siblings,” he concluded. By Edward Joseph Gacuya
