Law Summary
Registration of Births (Section 1)
- All babies born within the specified period must be registered.
- Applies regardless of parents' nationality, residence status, or beliefs.
- Responsibility to report lies primarily on attending medical personnel or institution.
- In their absence, parents, family members, relatives, or persons aware of the birth may report.
- Report must be accompanied by an affidavit explaining delayed registration.
Time Frame for Birth Registration (Section 2)
- Delayed registrations (for births before decree effectivity) must be done within 60 days of the decree’s effectivity without penalty.
- Births occurring after effectivity require registration within 30 days.
- Liability for failure to register is joint among attending personnel and responsible familial parties.
- If no attending personnel, responsibility falls on parents or responsible family member.
Proof of Birth Registration Requirement (Section 3)
- Starting in 1975, a birth certificate is mandatory for first-grade school enrollment.
- Required for claiming dependent tax exemptions under the National Internal Revenue Code.
Registration of Deaths (Section 4)
- All deaths within the period must be reported to local health officer for registration with the local civil registrar.
- Applicability regardless of the deceased's nationality or residency status.
- Reporting ideally by attending physician, otherwise by nearest relative or knowledgeable person.
- Must accompany an affidavit explaining delayed registration.
Timeline and Procedure for Death Registration (Section 5)
- Delayed death registrations must be completed within 60 days from the decree’s effective date without penalty.
- Deaths after decree effect must be reported within 48 hours to local health officer.
- Attending physicians must issue death certificates within 48 hours; the local health officer orders registration within 30 days.
- In absence of physician, nearest relative or knowledgeable person reports death.
Fees and Charges (Section 6)
- No fees for registration of births or deaths within prescribed period.
- Certification fees apply for issuance of certified copies or transcripts as per existing laws.
Role of Local Officials (Section 7)
- Barrio captains and barangay chairmen must disseminate information on this decree.
- They are tasked to assist in ensuring full registration coverage within their areas.
Authority to Implement (Section 8)
- The Civil Registrar General is empowered to issue necessary rules, regulations, orders, or circulars to enforce the decree.
Penalties for Non-compliance (Section 9)
- Fines between P500 and P1,000 and/or imprisonment of 3 to 6 months for:
- Failure to report births or deaths as required.
- Submission of false information.
- Violation of implementing rules and regulations.
- Failure of local public health officers to perform their duties under the decree.
Repealing Clause (Section 10)
- All inconsistent laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations are repealed or modified accordingly.
Effectivity (Section 11)
- The decree takes effect 45 days after its approval on January 31, 1975.