32nd CRM celebration in Guimaras officially opens

The month-long celebration of the 32^nd Civil Registration Month (CRM) in Guimaras province officially opened on Feb 2, 2022, with an information drive/caravan around the province from the town of Nueva Valencia to Jordan, Buenavista, San Lorenzo, and Sibunag for the opening program.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)-Guimaras in partnership with the Municipal Civil Registrars (MCRs) led the info drive/caravan around Guimaras province while playing the CRVS Jingle to stir awareness of the general public on the importance of Civil Registration.

The presentation of Guimaras’ Vital Events 2020 vs 2021, and the Quiz Bee contest for the Local Civil Registrar (LCR) staff highlighted the event.

The opening ceremony was graced by the presence of Mayor Anabelle Samaniego of Sibunag, Civil Registration and Administrative Support Division (CRASD) Chief William G. Jaro of PSA- Region VI, and SB Members Luvyn Gale Casco and Reynaldo Segovia.

Samaniego delivered her message acknowledging the importance of the work of the Civil Registrars.

“Through these activities, I realized the importance of having a full-pledged Municipal Civil Registrar which I promised to have during the opening of the 31^st CRM last year, and finally, MCR Sue Ann Noble was officially installed last year,” Samaniego said.

Samaniego also thanked the MCRs of the four municipalities and the PSA especially Jordan MCR for their support to Sibunag during those years when they don’t have an MCR and before she ends her message, she expressed her gratitude for choosing Sibunag Municipality as the host of the 32^nd CRM Opening Ceremonies.

Jaro highlighted in his message the functions of the MCRs, challenged them to achieve the CRVS’ decade goal that by 2024 the vital events of all Guimarasnons are registered, that no one should be left behind unregistered and all the children could enjoy their rights to have a name and nationality.

Losare also extended her warm appreciation to the Local Chief Executive of Sibunag for hosting the opening ceremony.

She affirmed that PSA Guimaras, in close collaboration with the 5 MCRS in the province, is accepting the challenge of Jaro to achieve the goal of the CRVS decade that by 2024 no one should be left behind unregistered.

“We have innovations towards the achievement of the CRVS goal, the development of the BCRS database, and the data banking at the barangay level. The BCRS database is now being used by various Barangays of Guimaras province to determine which areas need mobile registrations and mass weddings to zero out unregistered vital events,” Losare said

Losare also declared the official opening of the month-long celebration in Guimaras province, and to disseminate information on the Vital Statistics of Guimaras.

She presented the Comparative Vital Statistics of Guimaras for 2020 vs. 2021 which showed that registered vital events in 2021 increased by 3.14%, wherein births registered dropped by 11.53%, but marriages and deaths increased by 45.93% and 38.95%, respectively.

The best performing Local Civil Registry Office (LCROs) and Municipal Civil Registrars (MCRs) were acknowledged and awarded a plaque of appreciation.

Jordan LCRO was awarded as the top-performing LCRO, followed by Buenavista LCRO.

The MCR of Jordan, Jesusa Milliondaga was also the most performing MCR having the most number of registrants and activities conducted.

MCR Mary Jane Piosca of Nueva Valencia, and MCR Elma F. Zaldivar of Buenavista Municipality placed second and third, respectively.

“Various activities lined-up for the 32^nd CRM celebration throughout the month include the following: Quiz Bee contest for LCRO Staff, Mobile Registration and Gift Giving, Mass Weddings, BCRS Implementation, Tree Planting, Coastal Clean-Up, participation in the Regional CRM Quiz Bee, and the Closing Ceremony scheduled on February 28, the last working day of the month,” Losare said.

The activities are lined up in consonance with the Presidential Proclamation No. 682 signed by the then President Corazon C. Aquino on Jan 28, 1991, declaring February of every year as Civil Registration Month.

“This year’s celebration carries the theme “Improving Civil Registration and Vital Statistics Implementation Strategies through Digital Transformation,” Losare said.