Aklan Kicks Off 35th Civil Registration Month

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Aklan Provincial Office has launched its 35th Civil Registration Month celebration, focusing on improving and modernizing the province’s civil registration system.

Themed “Building a Resilient, Agile, and Future-Fit Civil Registration and Vital Statistics System,” the event highlights the importance of an inclusive and adaptive registration process.

The celebration began on Feb. 3, 2025, with a motorcade from the PSA-Aklan office to CityMall Kalibo. Participants included members of the civil registrar’s association, government agency representatives, PSA employees, and other stakeholders.

An opening program at CityMall Kalibo followed, led by PSA-Aklan. Chief Statistical Specialist Engr. Antonet Catubuan welcomed attendees and emphasized the role of civil registration in societal and economic development.

“It is essential that everyone be registered as it is a fundamental right and the basis for the government to provide essential social services,” Catubuan said.

Leopoldo Sanchez, Municipal Civil Registrar (MCR) of Numancia and Vice President of the Aklan Civil Registrars Association, delivered a message on the importance of resilience and agility in civil registration. He commended civil registry offices for their dedication to delivering efficient services, driven by passion rather than compensation.

Registration Officer II Glenda Sampaton presented vital statistics for Aklan, covering birth, marriage, and death records. She also explained how the civil registration system functions.

As part of the program, 24 individuals from Kalibo received birth certificates printed on Security Paper through the Birth Registration Assistance Project (BRAP). This initiative, in partnership with local government units (LGUs), provides free registration to individuals whose births have not been recorded.

Catubuan announced a lineup of activities for the month aimed at raising awareness about civil registration and making services more accessible. These include:

• Mobile registration programs in barangays to offer free registration for unregistered individuals.
• Mass weddings for unwed couples to legalize their unions free of charge.
• Civil registration clinics to address document corrections directly in barangays.
• Information campaigns through media platforms and barangays to educate the public on the registration process and fees.
• Hanging of banners and streamers to promote the celebration.
• Civil registration quizzes for PSA and LCRO staff to enhance their knowledge.
• Retooling sessions for PSA and LGU staff on the latest registration procedures and guidelines.
• Gift-giving activities at Missionaries of Charity in New Washington and Ati Village in Boracay.
• Clean-up drives in Camanci Norte, Numancia, to engage the community in the celebration.

“These activities are integral to the continuous development and improvement of our civil registration system to ensure it remains adaptive and effective,” Catubuan said.

The Civil Registration Month, celebrated every February, was established under Proclamation No. 682, signed by former President Corazon Aquino on Jan. 28, 1991.