01 February 2024. Bongao, Tawi-Tawi. The Philippine Statistics Authority - Regional Statistical Services Office in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PSA RSSO BARMM) headed by OIC Regional Director Engr. Akan G. Tula, together with PSA Tawi Tawi Chief Statistical Specialist (CSS) Mr. Masil H. Mohammadsha, launched the Civil Registry System Tawi-Tawi Outlet on 01 February 2024 at the Beachside Inn Hotel, Bongao, Tawi-Tawi. The outlet is situated at the Ground Floor of the PSA Tawi-Tawi Provincial Office, Motorpool, Simandagit, Bongao, Tawi-Tawi.
The launching and ribbon-cutting was graced by the presence of no less than the National Statistician and Civil Registrar General, Undersecretary Claire Dennis S. Mapa, Ph.D. In full support as well was Hon. Yshmael I. Sali, Provincial Governor of Tawi-Tawi, duly represented by his son, Vice Governor Hon. Al-Syed A. Sali, and BARMM-Regional Operation Leader of Unisys Managed Services Corporation, Mr. Eden-Hallel Liston.
Also in attendance were the Division Heads of RSSO BARMM, Dr. Noronisa D. Macadadaya, OIC-Chief Administrative Officer of Civil Registration and Administrative Support Division (CRASD) and Mr. Edward Donald F. Eloja of the Statistical Operation and Coordination Division (SOCD); and the CSS of the four Provincial Statistical Offices (PSOs) of PSA BARMM, Mr. Naldo G. Pendaliday of Maguindanao; Mr. Mahmur H. Sarail of Basilan; Engr. Medzhor A. Tan of Sulu and Mr. Mohammadali R. Alonto of Lanao del Sur.
In his welcome message, OIC RD Tula conveyed how the launching was a remarkable achievement as the first CRS outlet opened in the provinces of BARMM. “PSA BARMM takes a giant leap forward as we unveil our products and services to the Bangsamoro and the wider public” OIC-RD Tula said. The establishment of the CRS Outlet in this province is a significant step towards better serving our community. “In the past years, constituents of Tawi-Tawi have to cross seas and travel to the nearest outlet in Zamboanga City to request civil registry documents which requires days of travel and sizeable amount of money”, he added.
In addition, Usec. Mapa affirmed Tawi-Tawi outlet has been a dream, not just for the BARMM but even at the national level as well. “The preparation and planning was started way back in 2019, but the pandemic happened which hindered its development”, he said.
Usec. Mapa also mentioned that, as part of the PSA’s commitment to the CVRS decade which will end this year, and have to register births up to 99.5 percent of all Filipinos. In 2020, PSA have garnered about 96.6 percent and still need to cover about 3 percent of the total target. Apparently, PSA have identified 1.2 million people without birth registration and was able to deliver 209 thousand birth certificates through PhilSys Birth Registration Assistance project (PBRAP).
In BARMM, we have about 185 thousand unregistered individuals and was already able to deliver 22 thousand birth registration. To address the concern, in full support as well is the leadership of the provincial government of Tawi-Tawi. Vice Governor Sali in his message reflected on the financial and geographical struggle of its people to acquire civil registration documents.
Vice Governor Sali also signified his support to PSA’s activities saying, “On behalf of the of the Sanguniang Panlalawigan of Tawi-Tawi, we are set to propose resolutions that aims to encourage all local chief executives through their local civil registrars to intensify registration of their constituents.”
“Your effort to come all the way here in Tawi-Tawi will not go in waste as we share common goals. That is to uplift the status and lessen the burden of our constituents” he further noted.
Meanwhile, Unisys BARMM regional operation leader Mr. Eden Halil Liston, conveyed as partner in CRS service delivery, “We share the same mission. That is to deliver relevant and reliable statistics and efficient civil registration services with the client experience in mind. With this project, I have witnessed remarkable transformation in the civil registry services evolution. We went from 5-day processing down to an hour efficient service delivery to this date. “As mentioned, it took 5 years in the making but today it was finally realized” he added.
He further stated that “With this achievement, it was manifested that unity is strength and with positive collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved. This launching serves a vital role in helping the community in Tawi-Tawi. May the launching of this civil registry system outlet ripple through our sectors and bear more projects and programs for the people of Tawi-Tawi”.
The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), as the agency mandated by Republic Act No. 10625 which declared the years 2015 to 2024 as Civil Registration and Vital Statistics Decade (CRVS).
With the launching of the CRS outlet, personal documents, such as birth, marriage, certificate of no marriage, and death certificates, can now be released upon the client’s request on the same day with no service fee.
May the launching of this civil registry system outlet ripple through our sectors and bear more projects and programs for the people of Tawi-Tawi.
Finally, the inauguration of the CRS Outlet coincides with the PSA central office and field offices simultaneous kick-off activities for the month-long celebration of the 34th Civil Registration Month with the theme "CRVS: The Future of Seamless Services."
ENGR. AKAN G TULA
OIC-Regional Director
