Due to the rising costs of living, couples living below the poverty line choose to prioritize other necessities over getting married.

 

But in Cagayan de Oro City, Mayor Rolando ‘Klarex’ Uy made it possible for couples to tie the knot in holy matrimony without them spending a single centavo.

 

Since his early years in public service as barangay captain of Barangay Carmen and congressman of the city’s 1st district, Mayor Klarex has committed to turning the dreams of marriage of every indigent couple in the city into a reality through his weekly ‘Kasalan Ng Bayan.’

 

Since assuming office in 2022, Mayor Uy solemnized the unions of 4,786 couples—3,422 from 2022 to 2023 and 1,344 from 2024 to 2025—through the Kasalan ng Bayan program.

 

At every Kasalan ng Bayan, each couple are treated to a simple yet meaningful celebration, complete with free lechon, cake, and wine—made possible through the support of the 20th City Council.

 

To this day, Mayor Klarex affirmed his commitment to make it possible for every poor couple to be wedded in front of their families and friends without them being burdened by the expenses that this simple yet meaningful union entails.(NLB/CIO)