Badjao kids avail of free birth registration

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Social Welfare and Development has spearheaded a free birth registration for Sama-Bajau children at the Cebu City Hall yesterday.

Angelina Paghubasan, social worker 3 of DSWD, said the two-day registration is part of the celebration of the national indigenous peoples’ month under Proclamation 1906 of 2009.

“We celebrate the IP month by conducting free birth registration kay daghan kaayo ta nga Badjao na nagskwela nga walay live birth, which is part of every person, to have a name and be recognized as a Filipino” said Paghubasan.

The activity also aims to create awareness that the Badjaos or Samals, like every other Filipinos, have rights to uphold and should not be discriminated, said Paghubasan.  She said they target to register at least 160 children.

The registration requirements, as provided by the Philippine Statistics Authority, include a filed application for registration, health record of the child, form 137 if the child is already studying, affidavit of life birth signed by the barangay captain, and the names of the tribe leader and the “mananabang” who assisted in the delivery of the child.

Susan Gabiola, 44, from Nava, Alaska Mambaling registered her 5-year-old son. She said she came from Sulu and migrated to Cebu to escape the conflict in the area.

“Ubos ra ang panan-aw sa uban kay nagtuo man sila na walay grado, pero uban nagka anam-anam na man nga naay grado kay ilang anak ila man gi-guide sa pag-eskwela,” she said.

The registration was done in cooperation with National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, DILG, National Statistics Office, Public Attorney’s Office, Local Civil Registrar and other non government organizations. — Glenda B. Tapang, USJ-R MassCom Intern/NSA (FREEMAN)