Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Quezon City

17% Congress
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL no6463

Introduced by: HON. LORNA C. SILVERIO

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

One of the most highly requested civil registry documents is the birth certificate.
This is because it is one of the documentary requirements for employment, social security
benefits, marriage, school admission and for securing a number of vital government issued
documents and identification such as passport or driver's license.

Birth certificates certified by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) are printed in
security paper (SECPA). Each copy costs P140 while the cost of including delivery of the
birth certificate printed on SECPA is P 315 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. However, the PSA has expressed that changes in the color of the
SECPA does not remove the validity of the birth certificate. Nevertheless, some government
agencies still require that applicants submit a birth certificate printed in the most recent
version of SECPA issued within the past six (6) months, thereby entailing additional
expenses every time an individual has to secure a birth certificate.

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 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 view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

A hee

LORNA C. SILVERIO:


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

17® Congress
‘Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 6463

Introduced by: HON. LORNA C. SILVERIO-

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 n Congress
Assembled:

‘SEC I. 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,