Philippine E-Journals

The Situation of Birth Registration among Special Groups: A Collective Action

Chona Quezon Sarmiento | John Ralph H. Amsid | Ere Lee Q. Salang | Emmanuel L. Aquino

 

Abstract:

The partnership of educational institutions together with the Local Civil Registrar and Far East Broadcasting Company initiated the study on Facilitating Birth Registration among IPs and Muslims as a peace development initiative to contribute to social transformation. The university’s mission and vision directed the efforts to facilitate birth registration among four impoverished barangays predominantly identified with special groups. A survey administered at the household level provided breadth and quantitative information to the project outcomes and the uniqueness of the project at two phases. In-depth qualitative methods (focus group, community interviewing) provided greater understanding and insights into the different situations. The findings of the study revealed that the rate of registration among marginal groups in the identified areas was slow and the children were born in non-birthing facilities by traditional birth attendants. These children were also born to parents without Birth Registration. Illiteracy of the parents influenced their choice not to register their children. The high rate of illiteracy and poverty condition followed similar cycle of difficulty form on-birth registration application. The lack of birth registration documents has caused children to be disadvantage in terms of socio economic status, education, health care and protection.