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Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatines
Quezon City, Metra Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bill No. 7139

INTRODUCED BY
REP. ALFRED VARGAS

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE LIFETIME VALIDITY OF BIRTH CERTIFICATES
ISSUED BY THE PHILIPPINE STATISTICS AUTHORITY
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

A birth certificate is an official form issued and certified by the
Philippine Statistics Authority. It is a document that provides personal
records of an individual regarding birth, sex, nationality, and parent’s
information. This is the very document that authenticates an individual’s
identity. A birth certificate is a basic requirement for education, marriage,
employment, social security coverage, and eligibility for assistance may it be
from a public or private sector.

This form is printed in paper with specifications in order to secure and
provide integrity to the document. The Philippine Statistics Authority issues
birth certificates that only lasts for six (6) months. That means, an
individual must secure a new copy every 6 months, if needed. The expiration
of this document results in additional unnecessary expenses for ordinary
Filipinos who are required to submit this basic requirement. In addition,
this increases the struggle of first-time jobseekers who are required to
submit a copy of their birth certificate in the course of their job applications.
Thus, this bill seeks to strengthen the scope of validity of birth certificates
beyond six months.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

ALFRED ie


Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Meteo Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bill No. 7139

INTRODUCED BY
REP. ALFRED VARGAS

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE LIFETIME VALIDITY OF BIRTH CERTIFICATES
ISSUED BY THE PHILIPPINE STATISTICS AUTHORITY
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Lifetime Validity
of
Birth Certificates Act”.

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the policy of the State to
establish an effective system that will improve the efficiency of delivery of
government frontline services, especially civil registry documents. As such,
the State shall enforce a lifetime validity on birth records certified by the
Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

SECTION 3. Scope and Coverage. - This Act shall apply to all national
government agencies that require the submission of a birth record certified
by the Philippines Statistics Authority for the delivery of government
services and issuance of documents.

SECTION 4. Prohibition on the Requirement of Submitting a Birth
Certificate Certified by the Philippines Statistics Authority with the
Past Six (6) Months. - Government agencies shall be prohibited from
requiring applicants to government services to submit birth records printed
on the most recent version of the security paper used by PSA, or those
certified by the PSA within the past six (6) months. For this purpose, the
birth certificate issued or certified by PSA shall not expire and shall be
considered valid at any time. Provided, That the birth records do not require
administrative corrections as provided under Republic Act Nos. 9048 and
10172.


SECTION 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60)
days from the effectivity of this Act, PSA, in consultation with relevant
stakeholders, shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations to
effectivity carry out the provisions of this Act.

SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. ~ All acts, laws, decrees, executive orders,
letters of instructions and regulations or any part thereof which are
inconsistent with any provision of this Act are hereby repealed and/or
modified accordingly.

SECTION 7. Separability Clause. - If for any reason, any section or
provision of this Act is declared to be unconstitutional or invalid, the other
sections or provisions of this Act which are not affected shall continue in full
force and effect.

SECTION 8. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general
circulation.

Approved,