The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) has uncovered hundreds of irregular late birth registrations and blocked more than a thousand certificates of live birth nationwide as part of ongoing reforms to strengthen the country’s civil registry system.
At the Senate budget hearing of the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) and its attached agencies on Friday, PSA National Statistician Undersecretary Dennis Mapa said the agency reviewed late registrations from 2010 to 2024 using data analytics and field validation.
Out of 50,000 questionable entries, 840 were deemed “highly irregular.” Two cases in Pikit, North Cotabato have already been endorsed for cancellation, with reports suggesting the registrants may be of Chinese nationality.
Mapa added that the PSA has forwarded to the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) the cancellation of 1,472 birth certificates and three marriage certificates, most of which originated from Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur.
“While the OSG studies these cases, all affected documents have already been blocked in our system to prevent their release,” he said.
As part of preventive measures, the PSA now requires individuals filing for late registration to simultaneously enroll in the national ID system, ensuring both demographic and biometric data are captured for verification.
Mapa said the agency is also conducting continuous audits of local civil registry offices, with at least four personnel already facing cases for irregular issuances.