The Philippine Statistics Authority - Antique Provincial Statistical Office held High School-based symposiums in 13 High Schools around the province as part of the 35th Civil Registration Month (CRM) celebration. This 2025, the 35th CRM Celebration is commemorated with the theme “Building a Resilient, Agile, and Future-fit Civil Registration and Vital Statistics System.”

This initiative is aimed at informing and educating students about the provisions of Civil Registration Laws and R.A. 11055 or the Philippine Identification Systems Act, which are crucial in safeguarding the rights and privileges of every Filipino citizen.

The symposium was facilitated by PSA Antique Civil Registration team in coordination with the 13 schools located at the Municipalities of Anini-y, Tobias Fornier, Hamtic, Sibalom, and San Remigio. These schools are namely:

•    Igpalge National High School (INHS) on 10 February
•    San Roque-Ezpeleta National High School (SRENHS) on 10 February
•    Diclum National High School (DNHS) on 12 February
•    Concepcion L. Cazeñas Memorial School (CLCMS) on 12 February
•    Gamad-Sto. Tomas National High School (GSNHS) on 13 February
•    Barasanan National High School (BNHS) on 13 February
•    Gen. Leandro Fullon National School (GLFNS) on 20 February
•    Gov. Julian Fullon Pacificador National School (GJFPNHS) on 21 February
•    Guintas National High School (GNHS) on 21 February
•    Pis-anan National High School (PNHS) on 26 February
•    Gideon M. Cabigunda Memorial School (GMCMS) on 26 February
•    Gov. Evelio B. Javier Memorial National High School (GEBJMNHS) on 27 February, and 
•    Barangbang National High School (BNHS) on 27 February.
 

Moreover, the PSA extended the drive to more schools in the province, ensuring that students are equipped with essential knowledge to exercise their rights and access the privileges guaranteed by these laws and documents. This activity will empower students and help them avoid potential issues related to incorrect documentation or procedural mistakes in the future.

Provincial Statistics Officer of Antique, Dr. Randy M. Tacogdoy, led the discussions and shared essential information on the importance of birth registration for securing legal rights and accessing government services.

He gave emphasis on the importance of timely registering vital events such as birth, which should be registered within 30 days after its occurrence, and other important civil registration rules. The procedures and requirements for late registration of vital events, for correction of clerical and typographical errors, for change of first name and other vital information were discussed. The permanent validity of civil registration documents was also discussed.

Birth Registration Coordinator Ember Grace F. Dioso explained how the Birth Registration Assistance Project (BRAP) assists individuals in lately registering their births for free with free issuance of PSA copy of certificate of live birth, especially in remote areas and for underprivileged target beneficiaries.

Information Officer I, Patricia Dhianne M. Ga-an highlighted the advantages of the PhilSys or National ID System as a unified, secure identification system that simplifies access to various services and the different formats of the National ID.

Latest provincial results on poverty, labor, price and other statistics were also presented.

During the open forum, the speakers shed light on questions and queries on civil registration, legitimation, administrative adoption, simulated birth rectification, use of surname, and related matters. The students were encouraged to secure a PSA copy of their birth certificates before their graduation from high school to ensure that they are free of errors and that they could correct any error that they may find to straighten all of their academic records before going to college to avoid inconveniences and other problems due to errors in their birth certificates. The audience also enjoyed the entertainment from PSA Antique Musical Group.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) spearheads the celebration of the Civil Registration Month (CRM) which is relevant to its mandate to enforce civil registration functions in the country. Under Presidential Proclamation No. 682, February is declared as Civil Registration Month.

The symposiums were attended by faculty members and mostly senior high school students. One of the major objectives of conducting the activity was to spread awareness to younger audiences like the senior high school students to help them be aware of the importance of CRVS.