DAVAO CITY (PIA) – In light of recent fraudulent late birth registration cases in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, the Philippine Statistical Authority (PSA) – Region XI has been advocating for the passage of the Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) Bill.
“We have been advocating for the passage of the Civil Registration and Vital Statistics Bill, which has already been approved by the lower chamber of Congress. This new measure will enforce stricter penalties, replacing the outdated fines of 200 to 500 pesos,” Baby Jean Alid, Chief of the Civil Registration and Administrative Services Division, stated.
“We are committed to assisting authorities in holding accountable all personnel involved in these cases, if substantiated,” Alid assured.
Concurrently, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is probing 1,200 suspicious late registration documents from Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, voluntarily submitted by Mayor Nelson Sala. Lawyer Archielito Albao, NBI Director, revealed that these documents were part of a scheme where late registrations were processed for a fee. He cautioned that such fraudulent registrations could allow foreign nationals to own properties in the Philippines.
Baby Jean Alid, Chief of the Civil Registration and Administrative Services Division, clarified the PSA’s role under Republic Act 10625 on civil registration.
“The PSA functions primarily as a repository of civil registration documents. While we provide technical supervision through memorandum circulars and standards for civil registration processes, the actual registration is managed by local civil units within local governments,” Alid explained.
“Local chief executives have the authority to appoint, discipline, and transfer Local Civil Registry Offices (LCROs). Our mandate is recommendatory for administrative sanctions,” Alid added. (PIA-Davao del Sur)
