THE United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines have officially handed over birth registration equipment to 12 municipalities in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Barmm) and Sulu.
The recipients, witnessed by the Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) during a ceremony in Davao City on January 28, 2025, include Sultan Kudarat, Sultan Mastura, and Cotabato City in Maguindanao; Butig, Masiu, and Marawi City in Lanao del Sur; Luuk, Omar, and Talipao in Sulu; Maluso in Basilan; and Languyan and South Ubian in Tawi-Tawi.
This marks the first phase of the Japan-funded Initiative for Promoting Digital Birth Registration, which aims to expand to 50 municipalities over the next 30 months.
Maria Ermina Valdeavilla-Gallardo, head of the UNHCR Philippines National Office, underscored the importance of improving digital birth registration in underserved areas. She noted that this effort would help ensure no one is excluded from official records, securing their legal identity and rights.
"The active participation in this initiative of the 12 pilot municipalities and cities shows us the significant awareness and interest from the Barmm and Sulu to expand and strengthen the protection space for marginalized communities,” she said.
Meanwhile, Japan’s Ambassador to the Philippines, Honorable Endo Kazuya, highlighted the importance of recognizing more citizens in the region to promote lasting peace and inclusion.
"Ensuring more of the region's citizens are acknowledged and included in the region's progress is essential to a lasting peace. A stronger sense of belongingness can serve as a firm bedrock for more inclusive communities, and a more harmonious region. Opportunities such as this reflect Japan's unwavering commitment to the region's stability and its promising possibilities," he stated.
With funding from the Government of Japan, UNHCR Philippines is working with Community and Family Services International (CFSI), Relief International (RI), and UNICEF Philippines in collaboration with MSSD, the Philippine Statistics Authority - BARMM (PSA-Barmm), and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (Opapru).
The initiative aims to protect Sama Bajaus, unregistered children displaced by armed conflict, and decommissioned combatants and their families, aligning with the Philippine Government’s normalization efforts.
Under the Bangsamoro Policy, the program is expected to expand, benefiting 800,000 individuals or 80,000 families over the next decade. DEF
