Weddings, treats for constituents

Around 130 couples will be treated to a mass wedding organized by the Mandaue City Government on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14. This as the cities of Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu will be giving a “surprise” for their transacting public on Valentine’s Day.

Lawyer Danilo Almendras, Mandaue City administrator, said the mass wedding will be held at the Mandaue City Sports Complex at the North Reclamation Area (NRA) at 10 a.m. on Thursday.

Mandaue City Mayor Luigi Quisumbing will serve as solemnizing officer.

Almendras said the City is shouldering all expenses, including providing the sponsors, rings, cake and the feast for the newlyweds.

“We are trying to help those couples who have been living for so many years but could never afford to get married due to the high costs. What we are doing is not only trying to drive the importance of marriage in every family, but to ensure that with their marriage now legal, their children will also be legitimized,” Almendras said in Cebuano.

The mass wedding only benefits unmarried couples who have been living together for more than five years and have no financial backing to afford a decent wedding ceremony.

Aside from the mass wedding organized by the Mandaue City Government, another mass wedding is also being organized by Pagibig Fund at J Centre Mall on A. S. Fortuna St. on the same day.

Aside from the mass wedding, the Mandaue City Hall is also putting up extra features exclusive for Valentine’s Day.

For transacting clients, the different departments will be providing a “surprise treat” for anyone, whether they are married, single, recently separated or still searching for their life partner.

Aside from the local government unit, the Mandaue City Police Office is also on alert to ensure the safety of those celebrating Valentine’s Day.

Local police will be on patrol around motels, hotels and similar establishments.

Personnel from MCPO will also conduct serenades for sidewalk vendors, aside from providing them with safety tip flyers.

Mandaue City’s neighbor, LapuLapu City, will provide “extra love” to their transacting clients.

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza announced that women who will be transacting at City Hall on Thursday they will be provided with a free makeover, and massages for men while they wait for their transactions to be finished.

Radaza said she will be coordinating with the Mahuyang Alang sa Kalambuan (Mask), a pro-lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender group in the city, to provide the makeover, while massage therapists from the city’s persons with disabilities (PWD) sector will provide massage services for the male clients.

The City will also give out Valentine’s Day giveaways to transacting clients.

The Lapu-Lapu City Tourism Office will also provide a surprise for all constituents in different parts of the city. /