Google map of Malaybalay City, Bukidnon province.
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Couples in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, who have been together in marriage for at least 50 years stand to get a PHP50,000 cash incentive from the local government.
This came after the City Council passed the “Golden Wedding Anniversary Ordinance” early this week, which provides a cash incentive to married couples who have stayed together for five decades.
Malaybalay Councilor Nilo Aldeguer, the ordinance's co-author, said the incentive scheme covers all permanent residents in the city for at least six years, and with valid marriages.
“In these times, it is seldom we get to see marriages reaching 50 years. This is a way of recognizing their contribution to the community because of their strong family and foundation to our society,” Aldeguer said in the vernacular in a Facebook post Wednesday,
Aldeguer also acknowledged his co-author, Councilor Louel Tortola, as well as other City council members, for ensuring the passage of the ordinance.
The ordinance also covers Islamic and tribal polygamous weddings, but the incentive will only include the first marriage registered under the civil registry.
But here's the catch -- the couples must still be staying together and have not separated “de facto."
As of Thursday, Aldeguer's constituents continued to post social media comments about the ordinance with optimism, mostly for their parents who are nearing the 50th-anniversary mark.
Despite the effectivity clause saying the ordinance cannot be imposed retroactively, netizens like Analy Malto remain hopeful that her uncle and aunt's 50th year that they celebrated in March can still be considered. (PNA)
