President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) to simplify and accelerate the processing of civil registry documents, specifically targeting the correction of birth certificates.
This directive is part of the administration’s aggressive shift toward a digital-first government and improved public service delivery.
In his latest vlog, BBM Vlog 278: Sagot sa Polisiya, the President addressed mounting public frustration over the time-consuming nature of obtaining government IDs and documents, particularly for those in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs).
President Marcos emphasized that basic administrative tasks should no longer be a burden for Filipinos. To address this, he highlighted several key initiatives:
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Accelerated Corrections: The PSA is tasked with shortening the timeline for correcting birth certificates to save citizens from long queues and bureaucratic delays.
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PSA e-Certificate Expansion: Following the launch of digital birth and marriage certificates, the President wants these services standardized across all offices.
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Universal Recognition: The President underscored that all government agencies must recognize digital documents as valid, calling for full integration into the eGov PH mobile app workflow.
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Branch Flexibility: Physical document requests should be serviceable at any PSA branch nationwide, regardless of where the original record was filed. “With the improvements we are making through eGov and the internet, this should be a service we no longer worry about. It is a basic need, and people shouldn’t have to waste their entire day lining up for a single document,” said President Marcos, Jr.
Recognizing that many Filipinos lack the documentation required for standard IDs, the President outlined a “no-one-left-behind” approach through inter-agency cooperation:
| Initiative | Agency | Purpose |
| Pag-abot ID | DSWD | Provides identification for street dwellers to use as a supporting document for other government services. |
| Co-Location Program | DSWD & PSA | Deploys PSA personnel to DSWD payout sites so beneficiaries can secure birth certificates and National IDs on-site. |
| Simplified National ID | PSA | Accepts alternative documents like Barangay Clearances for marginalized sectors and GIDA residents. |
While pushing for speed, the President maintained that security remains a priority. He noted that physical appearance may still be required in specific cases to prevent fraudulent registrations, referencing recent high-profile cases of identity misrepresentation.
The President concluded by urging the public to utilize the eGov app, a one-stop-shop designed to consolidate transactions with various government agencies into a single, user-friendly platform.
