Echiverri said the affair will enable the couples who are living together but without the blessing of the Church to avail of the free matrimonial services and finally make their union legal in the eyes of God and the people.

The first "Kasalang Bayan" will be held today, November 16, at 5 p.m at the Caloocan City High School while on Friday, November 19, at 3 p.m., couples living in the northern part of the city will have their chance to be held at the Bagong Silang Covered court.

The city mayor and his wife, Purification, will be the principal sponsors while the city hall department heads will be the secondary sponsors.

In announcing the Kasalang Bayan, Echiverri said the affair is part of his program to reform the city. "Hindi lang sistema ng pamamalakad sa gobyerno ang nais nating I-reporma kung hindi pati ang loob ng pamilya," he said.

A member of the Couples for Christ (CFC), he said, he believed that the family plays an important role as it is the institution that serves as the foundation of the society.

He said many of the couples today living out of wedlock honestly wish to get married but cannot do so due to financial constraints.

"Sigurado ako na maraming mag-irog ang gustong magsama na may basbas ng Langit. Pero hindi nila magawa ito kasi iniisip nila ang gastos hanggang sa magbunga na ang kanilang pagsasama," he explained.

He advised the couples to enlist and attend their wedding. "Mayroon nang pari na magkakasal sa kanila. Mayroon ding handaan, kumpleto ang ninong at ninang, ano pa ang hahanapin nila," he said.