ZAMBOANGA CITY – A total of 377 couples from various barangays will officially exchange vows in a mass wedding ceremony organized by the city government on Saturday, May 24.
The event, spearheaded by the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), will be officiated by Mayor John Dalipe. The mass wedding is part of the city’s continuing commitment to promote the formation of strong families and inclusive communities.
Couples participating in the ceremony come from the city’s 98 barangays, grouped into four clusters: Vitali and Curuan in the east coast, and Sta. Maria and Ayala in the west coast. Many of the couples have been living together for years but have not been legally married due to various challenges, including limited financial resources and accessibility issues.
The initiative is being implemented by the CSWDO-Population Division in partnership with the City Civil Registrar’s Office, the City Mayor’s Office, and other supporting agencies.
To make the occasion more memorable, the city government will sponsor the food, cake, and wine for the newlyweds. Each couple will also be allowed to bring two family members to witness the special milestone.
This is not the first time the city government has organized a mass wedding. In 2023, a similar event was held for members of the Urban Poor Associations, also under the leadership of Mayor Dalipe, highlighting the administration’s efforts to provide essential support to underserved sectors.
The mass wedding ceremony is expected to be a joyous occasion not only for the couples but for the communities they represent, as they take a formal step towards strengthening their family units and securing their legal rights.