The 'Invisible' Barangay People

I was a bit shocked to learn that in 2010, there were 7.5 million Filipinos who were not registered at birth.  That's according to government statistics.  It’s possible that even more births were not registered since then.

Says a recent Philippine Star editorial, “this is a problem that afflicts the very poor who can’t afford to deliver the babies in a hospital and who consider it too much trouble to register a child’s birth in the city or town hall”.

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 Despite the ban in many cities and towns in various parts of the country, there are still countless incidents of births taking place at home.  

The editorial went further saying that if this is the case, the government must do something by reaching out to these people and bring this service wherever they are. 

Without a birth certificate, technically we don’t exist.  And if we don’t exist how can we expect the government to provide us with basic services such as free public education and health care.  Getting a job here and abroad will be almost impossible if we don’t have one.

As an advocate of the empowerment of the barangays, I find the position of the popular broadsheet to be in agreement with what I think is the right approach to address the issue.  However, I disagree with the paper's statement  “this is where the barangay personnel can make themselves useful”.  As if the barangay officials are not that useful in this respect.

Being on the ground, barangay officials are the most capable in reaching out to the people, even if they’re in the remotest of areas.  They know their communities well, they keep track of what’s going on with their constituents, who gave birth, who died and who got married. 

Having served in a barangay as adviser and volunteer officer for several years, I know this to be true.

In fact, when it comes to fulfilling the functions of the civil registrar, the barangay is even empowered by law to help out in recording and reporting births, deaths and marriages.  These are included in the provisions of Section 394 of the Local Government Code.

Not only in civil registration matters that the barangay is needed to keep records.  Section 394 also requires the barangays to keep a database of all their residents, their full names, exact addresses, place and date of births, gender, civil status, citizenship and other important information. In addition, their contact numbers or email addresses should also be included in the records.

A localized census of the actual number of residents in a barangay may also be required by the Sangguniang Barangay from time to time and could be very useful for planning and budget preparations.

I find maintaining records to be very helpful also in addressing many other problems and concerns in a barangay, like issuing permits and clearances, certifications and maintaining peace and order.

 

Other 'invisible" barangay people

Can you imagine what would a barangay be like when it fails to account for people who happen to be convicted murderers or rapists or pushers from other places, but are now living in your barangay?

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There are many instances when barangays issue a barangay clearance to some of these people because it has not kept accurate records of its constituents and failed to back-check those who transferred from other barangays.

With the availability of computers and its prices becoming even more cheaper, this should not be happening any more.  it's easier and faster now to keep records of all information needed in a barangay. 

With computers, setting up and managing a computerized barangay records management system is not that difficult today.  Almost every barangay can now afford to have it.   A computer, even the older version, has a built-in operating system in it that can automate record-keeping even in a poor barangay.

Does your barangay still keep its records in rusty filing cabinets and issue clearances with old dilapidated typewriters? If it does, start praying and hope that in the next three years, your community will be able to find a better replacement for your "old school" barangay officials.