Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Undersecretary, Cecilia Yangco encouraged Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (Pantawid Pamilya) beneficiaries to take their responsibilities as parents to their children through birth registration, during the launching of a joint project of DSWD, National Statistics Office, and Department of Interior and Local Government on Free Birth Registration held in Catarman, Northern, Samar last May 17, 2011.

In her inspirational message to the beneficiaries, she emphasized that birth registration is important for an individual as it gives identity and future employment opportunities. She also emphasized what the Regional Director of National Statistics Office Raul Dones advocates, that birth certificate is a proof that you are Filipino.

Yangco reiterated the duties and responsibilities of parents to their children. “Birth registration should be part of your responsibilities as parents and must be done after giving birth,” she said.

The activity was intended to disseminate information that the Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries could avail birth certificate or late registration for free. Such was a response to what has been discovered in the course of implementation of Pantawid Pamilya, particularly during registration of potential beneficiaries where a number of children do not have birth certificates. The said potential beneficiaries were earlier required to present legal documents as basis for verification, before they are registered in the program.

Dones expressed gratitude for having partners in empowering filipinos through Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program of the DSWD. In his advocacy, he said that more and more children could stand proud by saying “Ako ay isang Pilipino”.

Birth registration is a primary right of a child, which is also fundamental in the pursuit of the Millennium Development Goals, which the Philippine government   is committed to attain through its various anti-poverty programs including the Pantawid Pamilya.