A GROUP called for the passage of legislation that would streamline civil registration in the Philippines.
The Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development (PLCPD) said that a comprehensive civil registration and vital statistics law would make the registration of births, deaths and marriages easier for Filipinos.
Philippine Statistics Authority data showed that approximately 3.7 million Filipinos, 1.4 million of whom are 0–14 years old, have no birth certificates.
“Without a birth certificate, a child or an individual faces the risk of being denied their identity, education, health services, inheritance, employment, and even legal justice in cases where determining the age is crucial,” PLCPD Executive Director Romeo Dongeto said in a media forum on Friday.
Lawyer Sophia San Luis, a global civil registration and vital statistics expert, said many deaths remain unreported due to logistical hurdles, noting that in the Bangsamoro region, 42 percent of deaths were registered only in 2021, based on PSA data.
“A death certificate is needed for surviving family members to access inheritance, social pensions, insurance, and burial assistance. With an improved and accessible civil registration system, the government can properly assist these individuals and ensure that their rights are being upheld,” San Luis added.
Civil registration and vital statistics legislations, which include House Bills 8823, 4480 and 9572, have been approved in principle by the Committee on Population and Family Relations, while its Senate version, Senate Bill 371, is awaiting approval by the House Committee on Health chaired by Sen. Bong Go.
“We must recognize that many unregistered individuals come from marginalized communities. They often face challenges such as poverty, lack of access to health care, and disability. … By making the birth registration process responsive and accessible, we can address these disparities and ensure that no one is left behind,” said Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre.
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