Republic Act No. 11222 (R.A. 11222) entitled, “An Act Allowing the Rectification of Simulated Birth Records and Prescribing Administrative Adoption Proceedings for the Purpose”, was signed into law on 21 February 2019 and took effect on 29 March 2019, fifteen days after its publication in the Official Gazette.  Its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) was approved on 7 October 2019 and took effect on 10 December 2019 and will remain in effect until 29 March 2029.

It was on 24-26 March 2021 that the Virtual Training for this new law was scheduled to properly disseminate information and an avenue to clarify concerns and issues.  This will equipped PSA personnel and informed on the salient features of the law.  Succeeding trainings will be undertaken prior to the implementation of the said law by April 2021.

R.A. 11222 provides for an administrative process of adoption for children whose birth records were simulated but were treated by the adoptive parents as their own children.  Likewise, the said law provides for a simpler and less costly adoption proceeding and affords opportunity for these Prospective Adoptive Parents (PAPs) to come out in the open and correct birth records of the child under their care without fear for being prosecuted criminally, civilly, or administratively.

RA 11222 is an addition to the various Civil Registration Laws and a challenge to embark on by the PSA and LCROs nationwide.

(SGD.) AURELIA M. CANDA
Chief Statistical Specialist