Some 600 indigent residents in Kidapawan City have so far benefitted from the free birth certificate and late registration initiated by the local government unit (LGU) on Wednesday.

The ongoing project aptly called “Rehistro Mo, Sagot Ko” aims to provide birth certificates to indigents and avoid difficulties in natal registration in the future.

Mayor Joseph Evangelista said this project forms part of the basic services intended for his constituents and firmly believes that every individual should possess the document.

“Every citizen has the right to have an official document that contains his or her birth details but sad to say that still many people who do not have the capacity to secure this on their own, thus; this project came through,” Evangelista said.

He added that the undertaking is in support of the advocacy of the Philippine Statistics Authority to register every Filipino citizen to come up with an accurate census.

The city civil registrar, together with the city legal office, served as frontline agencies in processing the birth certificates and in making sure that each client is given appropriate legal assistance for the purpose. Areas served included Barangays Perez, Birada, Balabag, Kalaisan, and Singao that have indigenous communities.

Evangelista said minimum health protocol was strictly observed during the conduct of the campaign.

The LGU is targeting indigents in Barangay Poblacion as the next beneficiary village of the program. (PNA)

Photo Credit: www.kidapawancity.gov.ph