At least 100 children benefited from free certificates of live births issued by the Ministry of Social Services and Development in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MSSD-BARMM) in the coastal town of Datu Blah Sinsuat in Maguindanao del Norte, an official said Friday.

In a statement, MSSD-BARMM Minister Raissa Jajurie said the month-long free live birth registration initiative is in line with the celebration of the Children’s Month this November.

“Having their own identity through a certificate of live birth is among the basic rights of Filipino children,” Jajurie said, adding that it is also a requirement in receiving government services such as in health, education, and social programs, among others.

The distribution of birth certificates was done simultaneously with a joint outreach program of various BARMM ministries on Thursday.

Jajurie said aside from the certificates, the beneficiaries also received school bags and supplies, water tumblers, umbrellas, and meals.

During the event, Jajurie stressed the importance of birth certificates to the children’s parents, most of whom are from the Indigenous Peoples group.

She said a series of free birth registrations will also be done in the provinces of Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Sur, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi, Sulu, Cotabato City, and BARMM Special Geographic Area in North Cotabato composed of 63 villages.

This year’s BARMM Children’s Month celebration is anchored on the theme “Isulong Kalinga, Kalusugan, at Karapatan ng Batang Bangsamoro.” (PNA)