Birth registration: Providing a right to a name - NSO
By Rose B. Palacio
Davao City (31 July) -- Birth registration provides children or every individual with their right to a name and nationality hence achieving 100 percent birth registration of children.
National Statistics Office (NSO) XI Director Jaime Paller said their office aims to address and lessen major barriers to effective birth registration by disseminating correct information on its advantages and importance, in the family and community levels.
Gracing the ARENA Forum over DXRP Radyo ng Bayan with Josette Olivera and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Director Paller said "we will embark on massive information drive to attain a 100 percent birth registration of every individual, especially the children to break through the social, cultural, economic and physical barriers.
With this goal, a nationwide workshop and convention on birth registration is set here in Davao City trade & convention center on August 25 to 27, 2008 with NSO Administrator Carmelita Ericta and senior officers from the NSO central office to grace the 3-day activity, he said.
NSO regional office aims to establish a civil registration system, especially in the barangay levels to facilitate an easy and efficient birth registration process.
We will raise awareness by disseminating information on the right of children to a name and a nationality through information, education and communication strategies, he said.
Through capability building by training our registrars, we will be able to achieve the 100 percent birth registration and improve birth registration systems, he said.
Marginalized communities such as the Muslim sectors, indigenous people (IPs), and children in need of special attention in conflict areas have the right to have birth certificates.
Director Paller said NSO will coordinate with child welfare institutions and orphanages to see to it that children in these areas will also have their birth certificates. (PIA) [top]
