Talisay offers free mass wedding anew

CEBU, Philippines - The Talisay City government is once again offering free mass wedding to indigent couples who are living together outside marriage.

“It is the intent of the City of Talisay to erase the stigma of the illegitimate children, especially those children of indigent parents, and allow them to grow normally and establish their legal rights as legitimate offsprings,” said Councilor Eduardo Gullas III, in his resolution allowing the city hall to issue free certificates of no marriage (CENOMAR) to the indigent couples.

The resolution was filed during the council’s session last week, and was approved on the same day.

Under the measure, an indigent couple, who wants to avail of the free marriage next month, can avail of the free certificate at the local civil registrar.

Gullas, who is chairman on council committee on Family, Women and Children, notes that there are hundreds if not thousands of children conceived and born out of wedlock, as their parents can not afford the processing fees for Cenomar and other documents necessary for a marriage.

He said this free mass wedding, which happens at least twice a year in Talisay, aims to let them start anew.

“This noble intention will be realized by affording opportunity to the indigent couples having illegitimate children to have them legitimated by a valid marriage,” read Gullas’s resolution.