CABANGLASAN, BUKIDNON – Philippine Statistics Authority – Provincial Statistical Office of Bukidnon awarded a copy of Certificates of Live Birth (COLB) to the centenarian couple residing in Brgy. Iba, Cabanglasan, Bukidnon namely Aquilino Licawan, 101 years old and Pepita Haguilay Licawan, 102 years old. The registration of their COLB were made possible through the PhilSys Birth Registration Assistance Project (PBRAP) of PSA which commenced on the previous year 2022. The couple was joined by another centenarian, Ernesto Saligoyan, 102 years old. With the continuous implementation of the project, more and more Filipinos have benefited specially those persons in the marginalized communities, Indigenous People, Muslim Filipinos, poorest sector of the country and persons currently living outside their place of birth.

The event held on 29 March 2023 at Brgy. Iba, Cabanglasan, Bukidnon was attended by PSA RSSO 10 OIC Regional Director, Dr. Janith C. Aves and PSA Bukidnon Provincial Statistical Office Chief Statistical Specialist Maria Evangeline N. Non together with Municipal Mayor Hon. Lolita N. Bullecer, Municipal Civil Registrar Desiree R. Fernandez, and Vladimi Go - Project Development Officer III of the Department of Social Welfare and Development Regional Office 10 who led the awarding of Cash Gift to the centenarians, respectively; they also received a felicitation message duly signed by the President of the Republic of the Philippines, Ferdinand E. Marcos, Jr. Also present were Brgy. Iba Chairman, Hon. Maximo A. Diahan, and Municipal Councilor Hon. Vemencita V. Ocier.

OIC RD Aves reiterated the importance of the Certificate of Live Birth as one of the primary documents to avail government and private benefits. She added that PBRAP was implemented to increase the use of the birth certificate as the basic document to be presented by citizens seeking to register with PhilSys. On the other hand, OIC RD Aves stated that this project is also intended to help the aforementioned sectors not to be deprived with the opportunities and benefits given by the government and even from private agencies/organizations. She also expressed her gratitude for the support of the Local Government of Cabanglasan and congratulated the centenarians.

Moreover, one centenarian, Ernesto Saligoyan gladly presented his Philippine Identification Card and stated that he was able to register to PhilID with the use of his Certificate of Live Birth. He added that he is thankful to PSA because of the warm assistance that he got during the registration process of his PhilID.

Currently, the centenarian couple are the oldest recorded registrants under PhilSys Birth Registration Assistance Project (PBRAP), nationwide.

(SGD.)MARIA EVANGELINE N. NON
Chief Statistical Specialist
PSA Bukidnon