Activities mark marriage week; Feb 7 to 14, up to March

Freebies await chosen couples who apply for a marriage license at the City Health Service Office (HSO) from Feb. 7 to 14; according to Councilor Elmer Datuin who presided over the marriage week meeting last Tuesday. The small tokens are given in celebration of Marriage Week, which will be launched during the city hall flag raising ceremony on Feb. 6.

Councilor Elmer Datuin who chairs the social services, women and urban poor committee, and chair of the tourism, special events, parks and playground committee Councilor Lilia Farinas shall provide the rationale of the week-long celebration during the flag raising ceremonies, lead in the unfurling of the calendar of activities and introduce the members of the steering committee.  

On February 9, a face-to-face kapihan is planned with Councilors Datuin and Farinas as members of the panel, along with representatives from the Local Civil Registrar (LCR), Family court, Baguio City Police Office (BCPO), Department of Education (Dep-Ed), and Regional and City Social Welfare and Development Offices, Health Services Office (HSO), Faith-based group and the Population on Commission (PopCom). Data, information, plans, programs and activities as to the status of marriage in their respective agencies shall be discussed during the forum, it was known.    

According to Councilor Datuin, the celebration of marriage week is worldwide, yet for our city, it is anchored on City Ordinance 10, series of 2017. This stipulates that a week with mass weddings, marriage counseling, seminars and workshops should be done, to further promote the significance of marriage.    

In addition, reaffirmation of vows, recognition or awarding of the longest married couple, romantic couples’ date, film showing, parades, concerts and articles on marriage in print and social media are encouraged, and promoted, even after marriage week.

This coming Valentines Day, a marriage forum for a stronger family is scheduled for couples as identified by the social worker in charge of the section/district, which may include 4Ps (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program) beneficiaries.

On February 10 to 15, interested individuals may contact their section social workers to join Modular Sessions on Family Life Development/Family Development to be conducted at the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), Upper Session road.

On March 2, a renewal of vows is scheduled for those married for 25 years and more, with screening to be done at the CSWDO while a marriage enrichment counseling at the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO), is conducted on March 14.

All activities should further uphold the strengthening the value  of marriage, towards a productive Filipino family, and a transformed society; Ordinance 10, series of 2017 reads.

CSWDO point person Jeterda Junio presented the international theme for this year’s celebration as “One Flesh, Given and Received.”- JGFianza