Guimaras holds civil mass weddings for 183 couples

Love and family unity took center stage across Guimaras as 183 couples exchanged vows in a series of civil mass weddings held in Buenavista, Jordan, Nueva Valencia, San Lorenzo and Sibunag in February 2026.

The provincewide celebration began Feb. 14, 2026, Valentine’s Day, in Buenavista, where the municipal government held its civil mass wedding dubbed “Tambi-Palad.”

A total of 14 couples solemnized their marriages at 2 p.m.

“The ceremony was officiated by Mayor Samuel T. Gumarin and organized by the Municipal Civil Registrar’s Office headed by Elma Zaldivar,” Provincial Statistics Officer Nelida B. Losare said.

“Present during the ceremony was Mr. Jean Lito Esapol of PSA Region VI representing RD Amolar,” Losare added.

Later the same day, the municipal government of Jordan, led by Mayor Atty. John Edward G. Gando, through the Municipal Civil Registrar headed by Ms. Jesusa M. Millondaga, held its annual free civil mass wedding dubbed “Kasalan sa Bag-o nga Jordan 2026” at the Jordan Municipal Grounds.

A total of 85 couples solemnized their marriages in a formal ceremony officiated by Gando.

William G. Jaro, chief administrative officer of PSA–RSSO VI, also attended the event and said programs such as mass weddings help legitimize marriages and protect children’s rights, citing the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Gando, in turn, attributed the successful conduct of the activity to the collaborative efforts of municipal officials and stakeholders.

Also present during the Jordan ceremony were Congressman JC Rahman A. Nava; Vice Gov. Cecile C. Gumarin; members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, namely Hon. Felipe Hilan A. Nava, Hon. Atty. Paul Vincent Dela Cruz and Hon. Alejandro Araneta; Vice Mayor Anna Philippa G. Nava; members of the Sangguniang Bayan, namely Hon. Ma. Sheila Gange, Hon. Gerardo Gaitan, Hon. Christian Infante, Hon. Rolyn Faith Sayo, Hon. Francis Corpuz and Hon. Rizza Joy Caro; as well as barangay officials and other stakeholders.

The celebration continued Feb. 18, 2026, beginning in Nueva Valencia, where 24 couples were wed at 9 a.m.

The ceremony was officiated by Mayor Emmanuel Galila and organized by Municipal Civil Registrar Mary Jane Piosca, with PSA Region VI Regional Director Nelida C. Amolar present.

On the same day at 4:30 p.m., 33 couples in San Lorenzo solemnized their marriages.

The ceremony was officiated by Mayor Jimmy Gajo and facilitated by Municipal Civil Registrar Mary Grace Apepe, with the support of PSA Region VI Regional Director Nelida C. Amolar.

The series concluded Feb. 20, 2026, in Sibunag, where 27 couples said “I do” at 9 a.m.

The ceremony was officiated by Mayor Luben Vilches and organized by Municipal Civil Registrar Sue Ann Noble, with Danny Leonor of PSA Region VI attending.

“The respective Vice Mayors and Members of the Sangguniang Bayan in each municipality were also present, demonstrating the local governments’ full support for the newlyweds and their shared commitment to strengthening families in the province,” Losare said.

Losare supported the conduct of mass weddings across the province.

She emphasized in her message that marriage is a lifelong commitment and the importance of legal union in ensuring children’s legal identity, inheritance rights and access to social benefits.

She said civil mass weddings not only celebrate love but also promote legally protected families and responsible parenthood.

Losare also said the mass wedding in Jordan served as an opportunity to underscore the municipality’s participation in advancing civil registration reforms.

Jordan is among the pilot local government units implementing the Electronic Civil Registry Vital Statistics system, an initiative that links hospitals and the Local Civil Registry Office for the electronic encoding of birth records.

The system enhances efficiency, improves data accuracy and strengthens civil registration services, supporting the protection of children’s rights and legally recognized families.

“The annual mass weddings reflect the strong collaboration between the local government units and the Philippine Statistics Authority in promoting family solidarity and providing couples an opportunity to formalize their unions in a dignified and meaningful ceremony,” Losare said.