A children’s rights advocacy group on Tuesday called on Senator Aquilino Martin Pimentel III to act on the bill reforming the birth registration system and providing effective solutions for internally displaced people (IDP).
The Child Rights Network (CRN) said the bill would benefit 3.7 million Filipinos without birth certificates, which includes more than 1 million unregistered children.
A birth certificate is crucial in receiving proper education and healthcare services and having the opportunity to land a decent and permanent job.
The latest data from the Protection Cluster Philippines showed that almost 150,000 individuals remain displaced in Mindanao in 2023. The number is expected to rise if IDPs in other parts of the country are included.
CRN spokesperson Nenita Dalde noted that the Civil Registry Law is almost 100 years old and no longer addresses the current needs of Filipinos.
“Ito na ang pagkakataon natin na gawing mas accessible at moderno ang proseso ng civil registration kaya nananawagan kami kay Senator Pimentel na bigyan ito ng atensyon (This is the right opportunity to make the civil registration process more accessible and modern, so, we’re calling on Senator Pimentel to give it attention),” she said.
Dalde, who is also the advocacy manager of the Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development, noted that Pimentel must also focus on the bill seeking protection for the IDPs, which include children and women who make up the vulnerable population.
“Ang bill na ito ay magbibigay ng mas permanente at maayos na solusyon sa problema ng mga bakwit. Lahat tayo ay maaaring maapektuhan ng sakuna o giyera anumang oras (This bill will provide a more permanent and appropriate solution to the problem of evacuees. We can all be affected by disaster or war anytime),” she said.
“Kailangan ng gobyerno maging handa, at ang panukalang batas na ito ay magbibigay ng sapat na suporta at pondo para matugunan ang problema ng internal displacement sa Pilipinas (The government must be ready and this bill will provide support and funds to address the issue of internal displacement in the Philippines).”
The CRN urged Pimentel to prioritize both bills as the session is almost coming to an end. (PNA)
