Botolan IP community receives free verification

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — The Philippine Statistics Authority and the local government of Botolan has provided free Negative Certification or Free Verification to the indigenous community of Barangay Maculcul in the town of Botolan.

Chief Statistical Specialist Norman Bundalan said that this is the first for Central Luzon, where many of the Aetas living in the remote areas of Barangay Maculcul were provided with free Negative Certification.

The official cited that having a birth certificate provides one the right to the many services provided by the government, adding that having a birth certificate provides a person a chance to work not just here but also abroad.

Botolan Municipal Civil Registrar Clevelyn Deliquina said that it has been her dream to have a free negative certification or free verification in the town, citing that the indigent residents of Botolan would opt not to get their birth certificates.

She said that having no records of their birth poses a problem in terms of rendering them the services they deserve from the government, adding that she went out of her way and asked Botolan Mayor Jun Omar Ebdane if he could provide the financial assistance for the PBRAP.

Ebdane initially allotted P98,500 for the negative registration of his constituents in the far flung areas of Barangay Maculcul. Deliquina said that there are now 2,403 slots free registration for Botolan residents for the negative certification.

"We have been working hand in hand with Sir Norman in verifying people, with one or two people that is a matter of life and death. Our office wants to avoid double registration that can be a bane to the person since you need to clarify it with the courts," she said.

Currently, the Botolan local government is constructing a building that will house the PSA in Botolan, nullifying the need for the residents to go to Olongapo City to get their registration. Ebdane said that more than P1 million is allotted for the construction, citing that the PSA office would have ample amenities for their operation.

The PSA Botolan plans to register 16,000 residents, mostly indigents, to ensure that they have legal papers for identification. Deliquina said that they are now at 20 percent, and hopes to complete the task by next year.