Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte on Tuesday last week officiated the wedding of 39 couples, most of whom have lived together for more than 10 years.

Providing the setting for the mass wedding of the 39 couples was the garden dome of the Davao Bamboo Sanctuary and Ecological Park in Malagos, Baguio District. The memorable event was organized by the barangay officials of Malagos headed by Barangay Captain Arnel Liong

Mayor Sara officiated the event upon the request of the couples. She also gifted each couple with P2,000 cash and food packs for their families to enjoy.

The couples were lucky because the event was free including the venue. Councilors Sweet Advincula, Myrna Ortiz, and Antoinette ā€œPetiteā€ Principe also donated some goods for the couples.

Liong said the wedding was very important especially for the couples who have children.

ā€œMangita man gud usually ang bata ug kanang, pag-eskwela nila pangitaan sila ug documents (The children would usually ask for legal documents especially for their schooling),ā€ he said.

He was also thankful to Mayor Sara for officiating the Kasalan ng Barangay Malagos 2019.

The newly-weds were cheered by their friends and families during the ceremony especially when they exchanged vows and sealed with a kiss as husbands and wives. They did not even resist being photographed and videoed to capture the sweet moment.

Newly-wed couple Desiree Chavez and Richard Delcano, who have been living together for seven years, was thankful they are officially married because they already have a child.

Living together for already 17 years, Jerry and Waltham Palabrica Sabroso said they have decided to get married for their children.

Both couples agreed that having officially married is important not only as husbands and wives but also as parents because legal documents of their relationship are needed.

They also thanked Mayor Sara for the free wedding ceremony. CIO