4Ps Couples Wed for Free in Loon

A total of 22 Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) couples in the town of Loon, Bohol exchanged vows during a free mass civil wedding on April 30, 2019.

The free mass civil wedding was sponsored by the Municipal Government of Loon through the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) in partnership with the DSWD-7 staff assigned in the municipality who are the 4Ps Municipal Link (ML) and the Social Welfare Assistant (SWA).

Among the 22 4Ps couples were Baltazar Arao and Edesa Ocat of Barangay Napo, Loon who had been living together for 19 years.

“Daghan ming nasugatan nga mga problema isip manag-pares pero kung magsinabtanay lang ug adunay gugma sulod sa pamilya, makaya ra gayud ang tanan (We encountered a lot of problems as a couple but as long as there is understanding and love within the family, we can handle it all),” shared Edesa.

Edesa sells fish in the local market while Baltazar is a fisherman.

The couples were also earthquake survivors during the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that struck the island province on October 15, 2013.

“Sama sa linog nga nitay-og sa among balay, ang mga problema ug pagsulay sulod sa pamilya dili gyud malikayan. Mag-away ming duha pero kung kinsa ang nasayup mao ang una nga mangayo pasaylo aron dili na kini mudako pa (Like the earthquake that shook our house, the problems and trials in the family could not be avoided. We fight each other but whoever is at fault should take the first step to ask forgiveness so that it will not grow big),” added Edesa.

They have encountered the common problems like any other ordinary couple has encountered especially in handling finances.

“Tungod pud sa Family Development Session (FDS) sa Pantawid nakakat-un sad mi og mga pagtulon-an kung unsaon pagdala sa pamilya labi na nga gapadako mi og lima ka mga anak (Because of the Family Development Session (FDS) of Pantawid, we learned many lessons on how to handle a family especially that we are raising our five children),” she said.

The first three children are monitored under 4Ps namely, Kaye April (17 years old), Kyla Arianne (15 years old), Kepler Adrianne (14 years old) and the two youngest children are, Keannan Angelo (8 years old) and Karl Anthony (5 years old).

Baltazar constantly advises his children to prioritize their studies.

“Kung makakita sila sa ilang pares puhon, piliun nila ang adunay maayung pamatasan ug respetuhon sila (If ever they will find their partner someday they should choose someone who have good values and will respect them),” said Baltazar.

Baltazar and Edesa are hoping that they will soon have their church wedding.