The House of Representatives has passed on second reading a bill that will give permanent validity to birth and marriage certificates.
These documents were issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority and National Statistics Office.
The lower house has approved House Bill No. 9175 or the “Permanent Validity of the Certificates of Live Birth, Death, and Marriage Act.”
RELATED STORY: House lawmaker wants to triple separation benefits of laid-off workers
Under the proposed measure, certificates of live birth, death, and marriage issued, signed, certified, or authenticated by the PSA and its predecessor, the NSPO, and local civil registries will be valid regardless of the date of issuance.
“National government agencies and instrumentalities, government-owned and controlled corporations, local government units, private companies, private and public educational institutions, and other non-government entities are prohibited from requiring the submission of another or newer copies of certificates of live birth, death, or marriage, and reports of birth, death or marriage when a valid certificate can already be presented,” the bill said.
READ ON: Lawmaker pushes for inclusion of household workers to COVID-19 vaccination priority in PH
The bill however clearly states that documents should be intact, readable, and still visibly contain the authenticity and security features for it to become valid.
“In cases when the texts on the certificate appear illegible, or an administrative correction or a judicial decree has been approved, the concerned person shall thus submit new, amended, or updated certificate,” the bill added. (TDT)
