The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) - La Union Provincial Statistical Office in partnership with the La Union Civil Registrars Association (LUCRA) jumpstarted the month-long celebration of the 33rd Civil Registration Month (CRM) in La Union with a Thanksgiving Mass and an opening ceremony on February 1, 2023 at Bauang Gymnasium, Bauang, La Union.

This year’s theme, “PSA @10: Providing Efficient and Effective Civil Registration and Vital Statistics through Digital Transformation,” is in line with the PSA's drive to implement strategies to improve birth, marriage, and death registration using the latest state-of-the-art technologies to deliver quality civil registration products and services, and generate and disseminate accurate and quality vital statistics. 

Dr. Danites E. Teñido, Chief Statistical Specialist of PSA – La Union, in her opening remarks, said that the yearly celebration every month of February is an opportune time to remind Filipinos of their duty to register acts and events concerning their status as well as awareness of statistical values of civil registry documents.  Dr. Teñido also expressed her deepest gratitude to the Local Civil Registrars (LCRs) of the province for constantly improving their civil registration services and for supporting the PSA in engaging the community by capacitating persons involved in civil registration implementation to ensure that all vital events are recorded. 

Hon. Tanya Roberta De Guzman, Sangguniang Bayan Member of Bauang, La Union graced the event and thanked the PSA and the LUCRA for choosing their municipality as the host of the event.  In her message, she underscored the importance of civil registration on the identity of an individual and requested to ramp up efforts in the conduct of mobile registration especially in remote areas in the province.

The highlight of the 33^rd CRM opening ceremony was a Consultative Forum on Civil Registration Issues and Concerns with stakeholders.  Invited resource speakers were from various line agencies:  Mr. Joey M. Pimentel, Statistician from the Department of Education (DepEd) Regional Office I; Ms. Aileen B. Cuya, Head of Consular Office, and Ms. Jocelyn L. Nones, Consular Supervisor from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) La Union; Ms. Cristina J. Badiola, Social Welfare Officer II and Regional Alternative Child Care Officer 1, from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD);  and Atty. Sherlyn P. Paquit - Selda, Public Attorney II, from the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) - Bauang District.

Mr. Joseph E. Estoesta, Statistical Specialist II of PSA - RSSO I, discussed on the updates on civil registration particularly on the launching of Civil Registry System Information Technology Project Phase II (CRS-ITP2) that aims for a faster and easier access in acquiring civil registry documents. Mr. Pimentel presented on the DepEd Order No. 03, s 2018 Basic Enrolment Policy that includes the minimum eligibility and documentary requirements in order to establish the identity of learners.  It was followed by the discussion of Ms. Badiola from DSWD on Republic Act (RA) 11222 otherwise known as Simulated Birth Rectification Act. Meanwhile, Ms. Cuya and Ms. Nones from DFA presented on the basic requirements in applying for a Philippine Passport.  Atty. Paquit-Selda also informed on the services accommodated by the PAO particularly those related to civil registration.  After the presentation of the resource speakers, the Local Civil Registrars (LCRs) were given opportunity to ask questions during the open forum which were addressed by the concerned resource speaker.     

Moreover, Atty. Sheila O. De Guzman, Regional Director of PSA-RSSO I, also graced the event.  She acknowledged the continuing efforts of the LCRs to improve the civil registration implementation in the province and also provided updates on the PhilSys Birth Registration Assistance Project (PBRAP). 

PSA-La Union and the LUCRA lined-up other activities for the month-long celebration that include: Motorcade and Opening of the Provincial CRM Exhibit; radio interviews; CRM Exhibits in all Local Civil Registry Offices; Ceremonial Feeding; Civil Registration Lecture Series; Essay and Poster-Slogan Making Contests; Infographics Contest; and Online Training on Certificate of Registration of Authority to Solemnize Marriage (CRASM).  Aside from the provincial activities, the LCROs have their own unique activities in line with the celebration in their respective LCROs.

The annual celebration of the CRM is pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 682 “Declaring the Month of February of Every Year as Civil Registration Month” dated January 28, 1991 and signed by then President Corazon C. Aquino.  The CRM celebration aims to strengthen and intensify the commitment and advocacy of the PSA to deliver effective and efficient civil registration and vital statistics to the clients and stakeholders.

The PSA and the LUCRA enjoins everyone to support and participate in various activities for the 33^rd CRM.

SGD. DANITES E. TEÑIDO, Ph.D.
Chief Statistical Specialist

/MBL

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