EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
S. No. 
600
D e n a li'
’Ctliir utll)f ferrrrtnip
•19 
JUU7 P6--12
RECEivLDBrr
Introduced by Senator Ralph G. Recto
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.1 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.
1 Philippine Statistics Authority


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 bill is earnestly sought.
/FMPC


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
S. No
SENATE
600
ol tljc annciarp
'19 JUL 17 P6 :12
REcbivtDyy.
Introduced by Senator Ralph G. Recto
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 o f Representatives o f the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. -  This Act shall be known as the "Lifetime Validity of
2 
Birth Certificate Act".
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration o f Policy. -  It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
4 
establish an effective system that will improve the efficiency of delivery of
5 
government frontline services, particularly civil registry documents. As such, the
6 
State shall enforce a lifetime validity on birth records certified by the Philippine
7 
Statistics Authority (PSA).
8 
Sec. 3. Scope and Coverage. -T h is Act shall apply to all national government
9 
agencies that require the submission of a birth record certified by the PSA for the
10 
delivery of government services and issuance of documents.
11 
Sec. 4. Prohibition on the Requirement o f Submitting a Birth Certificate
12 
Certified by the PSA within the Past Six (6) Months. -  Government agencies are
13 
prohibited from requiring applicants to government services to submit birth records
14 
printed on the most recent version of the security paper used by the PSA, or
15 
certified within the past six (6) months. The birth certificate certified and issued by
16 
the PSA shall not expire and shall be considered valid at any time: Provided, That


1 
the birth records do not require administrative corrections as provided under
2 
Republic Act Nos. 9048 and 10172.
3 
Sec. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. -  Within sixty (60) days from
4 
the effectivity of this Act, the PSA shall promulgate the implementing rules and
5 
regulations necessary to ensure the efficient and effective implementation of this
6 
Act.
7 
Sec. 6. Repealing Clause. -  All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, or
8 
portions thereof, inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified
9 
accordingly.
10 
Sec. 7. Effectivity. -  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its
11 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation or in the OfTicial
12 
Gazette.
Approved,