P50,000 Prize Awaits 50 Years Married Couples in Bukidnon Town 

Malaybalay City in Bukidnon province has agreed to give out a P50,000 reward for couples who stay married after 50 years, a local official said Tuesday.

The "Golden Wedding Ordinance" provides for the cash grant for eligible couples whose marriage is valid and registered with the city's local civil registry. It is meant to recognize the contributions of "strong families" to their communities, said its co-author, Councilor Niko Aldeguer.

"Couples who last 50 years are so rare nowadays. This ordinance was passed in recognition of their contributions to our community, as strong families make up the foundation of our society. We have immense respect for elderly couples who stayed true to their scared promise," Aldeguer said in the local language on Facebook, also thanking his co-author, councilor Louel Tortola.

According to a copy of the ordinance posted on Facebook, couples must be permanent residents of the city for at least six years to qualify for the incentive. 

For couples in which one has less than six years residency due to out of town work reasons, they could still be covered as long as their other half satisfied the residency requirement at the time of their golden wedding anniversary. 

The ordinance also recognizes Muslim and Tribal polygamous marriages, but only the first valid marriage registered with the Civil Registry can qualify. 

"Sa Malaybalay, may forever," Councilor Aldeguer added in his post.