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EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 3” RECEIVED
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )  pareSEP 9
First Regular Session )
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 2 we
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Introduced by Rep. Vilma Santos-Recto
6th District of Batangas

AN ACT

PROHIBITING NATIONAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES FROM REQUIRING THE
SUBMISSION OF A PHILIPPINE STATISTICS AUTHORITY CERTIFIED BIRTH
CERTIFICATE ISSUED WITHIN THE PAST SIX (6) MONTHS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The birth certificate is one of the most highly requested civil registry documents. This
is because the birth certificate is one of the documentary requirements for employment,
educational financial assistance, social security benefits, and for securing a number of vital
government-issued documents and identification cards such as a passport or driver’s license.

Birth certificates certified by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) are printed in
security paper (SECPA). Each copy costs P155 while the cost including delivery of the birth
certificate printed on SECPA is P365 per copy.' The SECPA over the years have changed in
appearance in order to keep the proliferation of fraudulent birth certificates and identities at
bay. According to the PSA however, changes in the color of the SECPA does not remove the
validity of the birth certificate. In spite of this, some government agencies require that
applicants submit a birth certificate printed in the most recent version of SECPA issued
within the past six months, thereby causing additional expenses every time an individual has
to provide a birth certificate.

*phppine States Auhorty


This bill seeks to eliminate the unnecessary expense and inconvenience on people in
requesting for a birth certificate whenever they will have to apply from government for
services and documents that require proof of their names and birth date. This bill mandates
that government agencies requiring birth certificates for services be prohibited from
compelling applicants to provide a birth certificate that has been requested from the PSA
within the past six months.

In light of the foregoing, the approval of this bi


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES. )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Rep. Vilma Santos-Recto
6th District of Batangas

AN ACT
PROHIBITING NATIONAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES FROM REQUIRING THE
SUBMISSION OF A PHILIPPINE STATISTICS AUTHORITY CERTIFIED BIRTH
(CERTIFICATE ISSUED WITHIN THE PAST SIX (6) MONTHS

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
Certificate Act”.

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

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

Sec. 4. Prohibition on the Requirement of Submitting a Birth Certificate Certified by
the PSA within the Past Six (6) Months, ~ Government agencies are prohibited from requiring
applicants to government services to submit birth records printed on the most recent version
of the security paper used by the PSA, or certified within the past six (6) months. The birth
certificate certified and issued by the 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.


Nouwnwne

Sec. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. ~ Within sixty (60) days from the
effectivity of this Act, the PSA shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations
necessary to ensure the efficient and effective implementation of this Act.

Sec. 6. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, or
portions thereof, inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Sec. 7. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation or in the Official Gazette.

Approved,