05 February 2025– Guimaras. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Guimaras, in collaboration with the five (5) Local Civil Registry Offices (LCROs), officially launched the 35th Civil Registration Month (CRM) with a provincial caravan around the province and an opening ceremony on February 3, 2025, at the OMAS Function Hall, Poblacion, Nueva Valencia, Guimaras.

“This year’s celebration, themed “Building a Resilient, Agile, and Future-fit Civil Registration and Vital Statistics System,” underscores the province’s commitment to enhancing civil registration services and ensuring that every Guimarasnon has access to legal identity documents,” Provincial Statistics Officer Nelida B. Losare said.

The celebration began with a provincial caravan covering the five municipalities, starting from Sibunag to San Lorenzo, Buenavista, Jordan, and Nueva Valencia, made courtesy visits to the mayors of each municipality.

“This initiative symbolized the province-wide commitment to strengthening civil registration services and raising awareness among the public about the significance of civil registration,” Losare said.

The opening ceremony commenced with a warm welcome from the Municipal Civil Registrar (MCR) of Nueva Valencia, Mary Jane G. Piosca, and participants were introduced by the MCR of Buenavista, Elma F. Zaldivar.

Mayor Atty. Paul Vincent G. De La Cruz graced the occasion delivering an inspiring message, emphasizing the significance of civil registration in governance and public service, which can help facilitate the smooth processing and availing of basic services. He assured the group for his full support to all the activities of the LCROs and of the PSA. Joining him was Sangguniang Bayan Member Jason E. Javier, who commended the efforts of all Local Civil Registry Offices (LCROs) and the PSA in leading the month-long celebration of the 35th Civil Registration Month in the province.

PSO Losare highlighted in her message that the efforts and strategies of the Municipal Civil Registrars' and staff in delivering Civil Registry Services to the people of Guimaras efficiently and effectively through various programs and activities conducted are highly commendable.

“All were not made possible without the support of Local Chief Executives and other officials”, Losare said.

She also stressed the importance of continuous improvements in the civil registration system. She noted that civil registration is the foundation of legal identity and access to rights, underscoring PSA’s commitment to providing timely and accessible registration services to every Guimarasnon. She later declared the official opening of the 35th Civil Registration Month celebration in Guimaras province.

PSO Losare also presented vital statistics data comparing 2023 and 2024 levels, providing insights into demographic trends in the province. Initial findings indicate changes in registered births, marriages, and deaths by sex, including the top 5 leading causes of death, reflecting the province’s evolving demographic landscape.

Various activities lined up for the 35th CRM celebration throughout the month include the following: oathtaking of GCRAI elected officials, awarding of the top performing LCROs and Provincial Quiz Bee contest for LCRO Staff conducted on February 03, 2025, Provincial and Regional Quiz for PSA Staff, and Regional Quiz Bee for LCRO staff scheduled on Feb 28, 2025, Mobile Registration, Gift Giving, Mass Weddings, BCRS implementation, municipal elimination for the Binalaybay contest for Jr. High School and CRVS Jingle dance interpretation for Sr. High School students by each municipality, Tree Planting, Coastal Clean-Up (3rd week of February), and finally the battle of municipal champions for the Binalaybay and CRVS jingle dance during the Closing Ceremony, scheduled on February 26, 2025.

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