BELIEVE it or not, but there are individuals as old as 80 who are still not registered with the Local Civil Registry (LCR) in Dagupan City.

Marian dela Cruz, registration officer IV of Dagupan City LCR, said families of non-registrants of live birth only realize the need in times of death in order to claim deceased kin’s benefits like pension, among others.

Surprisingly, some known unregistered residents are already abroad and Dela Cruz wonders how they were able to get their passport.

She said a 90-year old man recently availed himself of government’s late registration.

While some public hospitals accomplish the registration of live birth if the mother gave birth in their facility, however, some government hospitals, let the mother do the registration especially when she is not legally married to the father of her child.

It was noted that unmarried couples do not understand the guidance provided by government hospital staff regarding registration of their child.

Registration of live birth must be done within 30 days from the date of birth, Dela Cruz said.

Registration is free but beyond that period, the registrant pays P150 penalty.

Dela Cruz also noted many Muslims in Dagupan City do not register their children’s birth and their marriages and only realize they needed to do it when applying for their passports. (Eva Visperas)

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