By R. G. Antonet Go/PNA
ZAMBOANGA CITY — The City Civil Registrar’s Office has recorded an increase of 1,938 delayed registrations of birth in 2018 compared to the previous year.
“The cause of the delay in registration is due to the status of the child,” City Registrar Alexander Elias said on Thursday, referring to children born out of wedlock.
Elias said they recorded 10,827 delayed registration in 2018 as compared to 8,889 in 2017.
Elias said the other cause of delayed registration is cultural barriers and the lack of information on how to register a newborn.
He said a newborn must be registered within 30 days after birth to avoid payment of fine and other fees like for admission of paternity, legal instrument, and legitimated by subsequent marriage.
“We encourage the on-time registration of vital events such as birth, marriage, and death. I appeal to parents to do their obligation to document your children,” he said.
He underscored the importance of registering the birth certificates are normally required in school and to secure government documents, such as passports.
