Uys’ say ‘I do’ to funding Kasalan ng Bayan

By Reem Pandapatan
MSU Intern

“WALANG perang galing sa gobyerno — lahat galing sa pamilya ng mayor.”

That’s the surprising truth behind Cagayan de Oro’s widely celebrated Kasalan ng Bayan, a mass wedding program that has already legalized thousands of couples in the city.

While often assumed to be a government-funded event, the reality is far more personal.

The mass wedding program is primarily financed not by the city government but by the personal funds of Mayor Rolando ‘Klarex’ Uy and his family, said Aeneas Vicente Akut, acting city civil registrar.

According to Akut, the city government shoulders only the processing of legal documents, including the Certificate of No Marriage (Cenomar), which costs P210 per person. All other expenses — from the venue setup to the food, cakes and even wine — are funded personally by Uy.

The program is one of the highlights of “Klarex nga Serbisyo sa Baryo” (KSB), a flagship outreach initiative aimed at delivering basic services directly to communities across Cagayan de Oro.

According to Rico Libre, the overall coordinator of Kasalan ng Bayan, the program was launched not just as a symbolic gesture but as a practical solution to address a lingering issue affecting schoolchildren.

Libre explained that many students are required to submit proof of their parents’ marriage when enrolling in school. For couples in long-standing common-law relationships, this has been a recurring problem.

“Kasalan ng Bayan was decided to address the needs of the students — to legitimate the status of students without the hassle of securing multiple supporting documents about their parents’ status,” Libre said.

Since its inception in 2022, the Kasalan ng Bayan program has facilitated thousands of marriages across the city.

For Batch 1 in 2022-2023, the program received a total of 3,559 applicants, with 3,442 couples successfully married, covering 45 barangays.

In Batch 2 in 2023-2024, there were 1,424 applicants, with 1,382 couples successfully married, covering 38 barangays.

While the mayor and his family cover the majority of the costs, occasional sponsorships come from city councilors, often providing items like cakes, wines or food packs.

Libre clarified that when no sponsors are available, the mayor continues to shoulder all expenses.

When asked about transparency and public accountability, Libre noted that despite the private nature of most of the funding, the program operates under the umbrella of a clear social service initiative and is still subject to audits by the Commission on Audit (COA) to ensure compliance with government processes for the parts handled by the City Civil Registry.

“It’s clear social service,” Libre stated, emphasizing that the government handles the documentary requirements while the celebratory aspects are personally funded.

The Kasalan ng Bayan of Cagayan de Oro stands out as a rare hybrid model — blending public service with private generosity.

While questions of sustainability may arise in the future, especially if leadership changes, the current model reflects a commitment to helping constituents beyond the bounds of government funding.

For couples who have long waited to legalize their union without the burden of expensive fees, the program offers more than just a wedding day; it provides legitimacy, dignity and security for their families.