SIQUIJOR, Siquijor (PIA) – The campaign to bring civil registration closer to more Filipinos is gaining ground in Siquijor as more Siquijodnons have availed of the PhilSys Birth Registration Assistance Project (PBRAP).

One of those who availed of PBRAP was Jelmar M. Tambahuyot, a 20-year-old resident of Kinamandagan, Lazi, Siquijor. He said having his birth certificate will help him in his pursuit to achieve his career goals. 

"Nalipay ko kaayo kay makapadayon nako ug eskwela kay naa nakoy birth certificate. (I am very happy because I can now continue my studies because I already have a birth certificate),” said Tambahuyot. 

Even the elderly Siquijodnons also availed of PBRAP, such as 80-year-old Bacueto A. Pepania of Can-asagan, San Juan, and 74-year-old Saturnino P. Cabasag of Gabayan, Lazi, Siquijor. 

Both are happy that despite their old age, they were given the chance to obtain their birth certificates that they can use in their transactions, especially in claiming their benefits as senior citizens.

“Dako akong pasalamat kay naa nakoy magamit kun kinihanglanon kini sa pagkuha ug mga benebisyo labi na kay senior citizen nako. (I am very grateful because I can use it when I need to get benefits, especially since I am a senior citizen),” said Pepania. 

"Nalipay ko kay inyong gihatagan ug higayon nga makadawat ko sa akong birth certificate. (I am happy because I had the opportunity to receive my birth certificate),” said Saturnino.

Civil registration month

The Philippine Statistics Authority has intensified their rollout of PBRAP in line with the 34th Civil Registration Month in February this year. 

As of February 5, 2024, Siquijor province has filed 971 names for verification and 471 registered names to local civil registration offices nationwide. 

It has also processed 301 applications during the mobile registration drive. 

Civil Registration and Vital Statistics Decade

PBRAP was launched in 2022 with the aim of reaching out to the unregistered Filipinos, especially those living outside their place of birth and in marginalized communities. 

The project is in line with the observation of Civil Registration and Vital Statistics Decade for 2015–2024, which promotes the mandatory recording of births, deaths, marriages, and other acts and events involving an individual's civil status.

PSA is intensifying its efforts under PBRAP as 2024 is the final year for civil registration of vital statistics, said Postrado. 

“Maningkamot gyud mi nga makagunit gyud sa ilang birth certificate katong wala pay birth certificate. (We will try our best so that those who don’t have their birth certificates can really hold their birth certificate),” she said. 

PSA held a series of information campaigns on civil registration in schools and institutions in Siquijor. 

The agency also reached out to local government units and national government agencies to help in their campaign. 

‘Check your civil registry documents’ 

Postrado advised the public to check the entries on their civil registry documents and ensure its accuracy. 

She said errors usually are discovered when one is about to retire from service. 

“Usahay ayha na nato mamatikdan nga naa diay problema sa atong birth certificate  kong mo retire na. Pagtan-aw sa atong birth certificate lahi diay ang ngalan nakabutang sa database compared sa ngalan nga gidaladala ug naandan.  Naa na tay process unsaon na siya paghandle. (We only notice that there are errors on our birth certificate when we retire. The name that appears on the database is different from the one that we have been using. We have a process now on how to handle this),” she explained. (RAC/PIA7-Siquijor)