The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) welcomes the unanimous passage of Senate Bill No. 2450 during its third and final reading. The bill seeks the permanent validity of live birth, death, and marriage certificates issued and certified by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) and the National Statistics Office (NSO).

Senate Bill No. 2450 categorically nullifies the requirement of some government and private institutions to have these documents be obtained and submitted within a six month validity period due to the expiring of its security paper. The bill states that as long as the official document remains intact, readable, and visibly contains the authenticity and security features, it shall have permanent validity “regardless of the date of issuance and shall be recognized and accepted in all government or private transactions or services requiring submission thereof, as proof of identity and legal status of a person.”

With 23 senators having approved the bill and the House of Representatives having passed a counterpart measure in June last year, the bill will now be deliberated on by a bicameral conference committee.

The Commission fully supports this bill as it will vastly ease the burden on ordinary citizens, especially those that hail from far-flung areas, from exerting their time, money, and effort on civil registry documents that should be as immutable and legitimate as their right to recognition.

We welcome this inclusive development and urges its immediate ratification so the President may sign it into law.