Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. _5847

Introduced by Hon. John Marvin “Yul Servo” C. Nieto

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Government agencies often require their respective applicants to procure
and provide the most recent Birth Certificate from the Philippine Statistics
Authority (PSA), whether it is for employment purposes, securing permits,
availing of financial services, or acquiring documents.

This has been the common practice for many years, but the cost of this
Process is taxing and serves as a burden to the applicants. Offices would
often require a birth certificate that has been certified by the PSA within the
last six (6) months. The PSA, on the other hand, has always clarified that
the birth certificates that they issue do not have any expiration date, but this
did not prohibit these offices from continuing the aforementioned practice.

The Birth Certificate Lifetime Validity Act seeks to stop the unnecessary and
costly procurement of the birth certificate as a requirement for availing
government services. Moreover, this measure, if enacted, will prohibit these
agencies from requiring applicants to submit birth records printed on the
most recent version of the security paper used by the PSA, or birth records
certified by PSA within the past six (6) months. Furthermore, birth
certificates certified and issued by the PSA shall be considered valid at any
time.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this measure is earnestly sought.

JOHN IN “YOL SERVO” C. NIETO


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

5847
HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Hon. John Marvin “Yul Servo” C. Nieto

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 the House of Representatives of the
Philippines in Congress Assembled:

SEC 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Birth Certificate Lifetime
Validity Act”.

SEC 2. Declaration of State 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 duly certified by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

SEC 3. Coverage. - This Act shall apply to all National Government
agencies that would require the submission of a birth record duly certified by
the Philippine Statistics Authority 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 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
months. The birth certificate certified and issued by the PSA shall not expire
and shall be considered valid: Provided, that the birth records do not require
administrative corrections as provided under Republic Act Nos. 9048 and
10172.

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, presidential decrees, executive
orders, ordinances, rules and regulation, and other issuances or part thereof
which are inconsistent with this Act, are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly

SEC 7. Effectivity. - This Act shall take after fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,