The local government of Muntinlupa City has launched a free birth registration program aimed at ensuring every child has a proper legal identity and full access to basic services.

The program offers free late registration of birth certificates for children enrolled in the Early Childhood Education and Development (ECED) Program. Parents of ECED students are advised to coordinate with their children’s teachers for details and requirements.

The service is also available to indigent residents aged 0 to 17 who can coordinate directly with the Local Civil Registry Office at the South Park Center.

Muntinlupa City Mayor Ruffy Biazon said the initiative is designed to protect children’s rights by ensuring they are legally recognized by the government.

“If you don’t have a birth certificate, it is as if you don’t exist. That’s the proof that you are here in the world — that you are a Filipino,” Biazon said. “If a child does not have a birth certificate, his future will be put at risk. That’s why we launched this project, to give every child a secure future.”

The city emphasized that birth registration is vital for children to access education, health care and other services. The program, which carries the tagline “Batang Rehistrado, Kinabukasan Sigurado,” is ongoing and is expected to soon expand to include students from Grades 1 through 6.