03 September 2024 – GUIMARAS. A total of seventy-six children from Lutong, Morobuan, Jordan have been enrolled under the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) during the launching of the Rehistro Bulilit program on 29 August 2024, spearheaded by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Guimaras Provincial Statistical Office. 

“Among the 76 children, a total of 64 are ages 1 to 4 while the other 12 registrants are 5 years old,” Supervising Statistical Specialist, Vicente G. Geonanga said. 

This program was conducted under the directive of PSA Undersecretary Claire Dennis S. Mapa, PhD, National Statistician and Civil Registrar General, to conduct an initiative targeting the registration of more Filipino children while ensuring the continuous reaching out to communities around the country to register every Filipino to the National ID system.

According to him, registration of children aged 1-4 years in the National ID is part of the PSA's commitment to make the National ID inclusive. 

Likewise, NS Mapa instructed to continue creating venues for National ID registration, such as Rehistro Bulilit, soliciting the support of the local government units and other stakeholders. 

To help children feel at ease during the Rehistro Bulilit activity, the PhilSys team prepared various games with corresponding prizes. 

“Short film stories for kids to watch were also compiled and played, the team also prepared a station for coloring, photo booth, grooming, and nail cleaning with polishing to entertain the kids for the whole duration of the program,” Geonanga said. 

“Kids also enjoyed the games and contests, tokens for each registered kid were also provided, likewise, parents were also thrilled with the raffles set by the team,” he added. 

Before the registration activity, the PSA Guimaras coordinated with the barangay officials of Morobuan, Day Care Workers, and the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office for a smooth and successful event implementation. 

The National ID of each child has a permanent identification number linked to the parent or guardian who accompanied them during the registration process.  

“This ensures that the identity of a child is securely connected to a responsible adult for future verification and updates," Geonanga said. 

He also expounded that a child’s demographic information is validated, and a front-facing photograph is captured during the registration. Although only the basic demographic data and the photo are collected initially, complete biometric data such as fingerprints, iris scans, and an updated front- facing photograph will be collected once the child reaches five years old.

“This process allows for more accurate identification as the child grows,” Geonanga expressed. 

Geonanga also expounded that to register a child successfully, the following documents are required: 

1. Original Birth Certificate – to confirm the identity and details of the child. 

2. Parent’s National ID – serves as a reference to validate the child’s data that needs to link to their records. 

3. Authorization from the Parent (if applicable) – if a guardian accompanies the child for registration rather than the parent, the guardian must present an authorization letter duly signed by the parent permitting the guardian to act on their behalf.

“This ensures that the children’s registration is properly authenticated and linked to the correct family member or guardian, facilitating smooth updates to their information in the future,” Geonanga said.

Meanwhile, the PSA Guimaras is exerting efforts to reach all children ages 1-4 in the province of Guimaras to enroll them in PhilSys through mobile registration, which includes barangay registration, house-to-house, Philsys on wheels, and a plaza-type registration.

“These types of initiatives were implemented by the PSA Guimaras to list unregistered Guimarasnons to PhilSys especially those who are living in the far-flung areas,” Geonanga said.