GENERAL SANTOS CITY (PIA) – The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) has reiterated that both on-time and late-registered birth certificates have equal legal validity.
Carla Marylou D. Fusilero, senior statistical officer of PSA in Sarangani-General Santos City (SarGen), clarified that birth certificates bearing a late registration stamp are not inferior to birth certificates with no mark.
“Those who registered on-time and those who registered late did not have that much of an impact,” she said, emphasizing that a late registration mark does not affect the document’s authenticity.
She added that between two existing birth certificates, PSA will honor the first registered birth certificate.
“Between two existing birth certificates, one is on time and a late-registered birth certificate. Naturally, we will honor the first registration and block the second,” Fusilero explained, stressing the importance of proper documentation.
Fusilero told parents to register their newborn’s birth certificate at the Local Civil Registry Office within 30 days of birth.
Birth registration is essential in accessing government services such as education, employment, healthcare and social protection.
PSA Sarangani registered 12,414 individuals under its Birth Registration Assistance Project (BRAP) to ensure universal and timely civil registration, according to its coordinator, Alfredo C. Clemeña Jr.
He said that as of February 2025, the number of registered individuals per municipality is as follows: Alabel, 561; General Santos City, 1,201; Glan, 2,535; Kiamba, 885; Maasim, 1,092; Maitum, 1,305; Malapatan, 3,942; and Malungon, 893.
The implementation of BRAP is in coordination with local government units to provide birth certificates to unregistered individuals, especially in far-flung areas, to ensure they have legal identity and access to education and other social benefits.
PSA continues to urge individuals, particularly those in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas, to avail themselves of BRAP.
Through sustained initiatives, the agency aims to ensure every Filipino secures a legally recognized identity, paving the way for greater social inclusion and access to essential services. (SRP, PIA SarGen)
