1 month free birth registration

CEBU, Philippines - The City Council yesterday decided to waive the payment of registration fees for those who are yet to register with the Office of the Civil Registrar.

The leeway is being given in line with the celebration of the Civil Registration Month for the entire month of February. It will also be implemented in other parts of the country.

Normally, those who register birth beyond the 30-day reglementary period for registration are being made to pay a P250 penalty.

Councilor Lea Ouano-Japson, chairperson of the City Council’s committee on women and children, encouraged parents who are yet to register their children to avail of the privilege granted by the city government.

Civil Registrar Evangeline Abatayo said several activities have been lined up in line with the month-long celebration, including a seminar on February 1, which will tackle civil registration and general concerns regarding civil documents.

On Valentine’s Day, Civil Registrar personnel together with personnel from the Family Planning Section of the City Health Department will conduct a Pre-Marital Seminar to prospective couples in selected areas.

The entire day of February 17 will be spent issuing free civil registry documents like birth, marriage and death certificates at the Office of the Civil Registrar.

However, securing documents may not be as fast at present because the digitalization of records at the Civil Registrar’s Office has yet to be completed.

Before Mayor Michael Rama left the country for two weeks last week, he approved Abatayo’s request for a budget P77,500 to cover expenses for various events. The budget will be charged to the city-sponsored activity accounts.

The Office of the Civil Registrar is temporarily occupying the ground floor of the Cebu City Health Department building while awaiting completion of construction of its own building. The city has allocated P20 million for the new building. — (FREEMAN)