A HOUSE committee has approved a measure that will establish a free and inclusive civil registry process for indigenous people (IP).
In a hearing Monday, the House Committee on Ways and Means approved the tax provisions without amendments of substitute bill consolidating House Bills 1332 and 2812. The unnumbered bill called for a “culture-sensitive” civil registry system for IPs.
The House tax panel approved the provision which will exempt IPs from paying all fees in the registration of their births, marriages, and death certificates with the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). IPs will also be exempted from paying notarial and tax stamp charges in relation to their civil registration with the PSA.
The measure was sponsored by its originating panel, the House Committee on Indigenous Cultural Communities and Indigenous Peoples.
The House Ways and Means Chairman, Albay Rep. Jose Ma. Clemente S. Salceda said the measure represents “affirmative action (by) the authors on behalf of our indigenous people.”
Representatives Rufus B. Rodriguez and Arlene D. Brosas are the principal authors of House Bills 2812 and 1332, respectively.
According to the explanatory note of House Bill 1332, 60% of IPs are not recorded in the PSA’s civil registry, which has deprived them of social services while imposing financial hardships which have become obstacles to their registration.
The normal registration process also does not reflect their unique way of life, as many IPs still use different naming conventions from the Western practice of first, middle, and last names. Civil status and religion categories in registration also do not reflect IP practices. — Gillian M. Cortez