Gensan provides free civil registration for Muslims, IPs

GENERAL SANTOS CITY: Muslims and Indigenous Peoples (IPs) here may now avail of free civil registration services through a new program of the city government.

Dubbed "Rehistro Project: Free On-Time Registration for IPs and Muslims," the program formally rolled out this week as a partnership between the city's Indigenous Cultural Communities Affairs Division (ICCAD) and the Office of the Local Civil Registrar (LCR).

Mayor Ronnel Rivera said Friday the initiative mainly provides Muslim and IP residents with access to civil registration services, especially in the issuance of birth, marriage and death certificates.

Starting Wednesday, Rivera said a newly-opened office manned by ICCAD and LCR personnel assisted beneficiaries in the processing of civil registry documents.

The mayor said the program aims to address the problems of Muslim and IP residents in acquiring civil registry documents, especially for those who still do not even have birth and marriage certificates.

He cited the case of 68-year-old Tahir Kusien Abdulhamid, who was among the first recipients of the program.

Abdulhamid was able to process his marriage certificate for the first time after 45 years.

Four certificates of live birth and five other certificates of marriage have been processed so far by the facility.

"We're very grateful for this partnership. We will push for its institutionalization so it can also be replicated by other LGUs (local government units), especially here in Mindanao," Rivera said.

Based on the program's guidelines, Muslim and IP residents applying for delayed registration of marriage are required to present a certification from the solemnizing officer and cite details, as well as the reasons for failing to register on time.

They also need to submit an affidavit from the Public Attorney's Office, identification cards, community tax certificates and birth certificates of the applicants as well as their children.

For the delayed registration of birth certificate, the applicants should submit an affidavit, voter's identification, certificate from the tribal chieftain or Ustadz, immunization forms, school-related documents, identification cars, community tax certificate and any available supporting documents.

Those applying for delayed registration of death certificate of family members or relatives need to present an affidavit, letter or certification from the chieftain or Ustadz, and a barangay certification specifying the cause of death.

(PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY)