IDPs FROM THE FIVE MUNICIPALITIES SEVERELY AFFECTED BY THE STS PAENG IN MAGUINDANAO DEL NORTE, BARMM HAVE RECEIVED NEW COPIES OF THEIR BIRTH CERTIFICATES.

CFSI with some beneficiaries and their reissued birth certificates

Persons displaced (IDPs) due to Severe Tropical Storm Nalgae (local name STS Paeng) in October 2022 are now able to access various education, health, and welfare services as CFSI, together with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugee (UNHCR) supported the replacement of lost or damaged birth certificates. CFSI coordinated with the Philippine Statistic Authority (PSA) and Local Government Units (LGUs) to cater and expedite the re-issuance of the birth certificates of the affected individuals.

CFSI with project partners and beneficiaries during the reissuance of birth certificates

A total of one thousand one hundred fifteen (1,115) affected individuals availed the re-issuance of certificates for registration.  These 1,115 individuals are from the five municipalities in Maguindanao del Norte hit hardest by STS Paeng in the last quarter of 2022.

“Angel”*, is grateful for the initiative on the re issuance of birth certificate because she and her family members now have access to much needed social services.

“Angel” also shared that she decided to register for the re-issuance for herself and her two children because she understood that having a birth certificate is the key to re-apply for their lost and damaged government issued IDs, processing legal documents, seeking employment and of course, education opportunities for her children.

“Alam ko kasi na kailangan ang birth certificate sa pag apply ng mga iba’t-ibang government issued IDs, sa pag apply ng trabaho, pag aasikaso ng mga papeles at sa pag aaral ng mga bata. Kaya kumuha ako at sinama ko na rin ang mga anak ko.” 

(I know that birth certificates are needed to apply for different government-issued IDs, to apply for work, fix documents, and for the kids’ education. So I got [my birth certificate] and got the same for my children.)

She also added that the initiative facilitated by CFSI is more convenient and costs less for them as IDPs because they no longer have to go to the PSA office to process their documents.

“Maraming maraming salamat at pumunta kayo dito. Hindi na namin kailangan mag biyahe pa sa labas o sa mga opisina. Nilapit na ninyo mismo sa amin ang oportunidad na makakuha ulit ng kopya ng mga PSA birth certificates namin.”

(Thank you very much for coming here. We didn’t need to travel far or go to the offices. You brought the opportunity for us to receive our birth certificates right to us.)

 

*Not her real name and not pictured, upon Angel’s request