Manila: The Sangguniang Panlungsod (City Council) has approved an ordinance providing indigent residents of Iloilo City with free correction of typographical and clerical errors in birth, marriage, and death certificates. This move aims to alleviate the financial burden on residents who need these essential corrections.

According to Philippines News Agency, Councilor Jose Maria Miguel Tre±as, who authored the ordinance, highlighted the overwhelming number of inquiries his office has received regarding these corrections. Prior to this ordinance, even minor corrections, such as a single letter, incurred fees ranging from PHP1,000 to PHP3,000. Tre±as emphasized the necessity of the ordinance to clarify who qualifies for fee exemptions and to raise public awareness on the matter.

Furthermore, the Local Civil Registrar had previously requested the ordinance to specify eligible individuals for the fee waiver. During the council's deliberations, Tre±as stressed the importance of making these services accessible to those in financial need, ensuring that residents are aware of their eligibility.

In a related development, Councilor Frances Grace Parcon-Torres proposed an ordinance earlier this year that aims to institutionalize the provision of free certified true copies and late registrations for birth and marriage for all females in Iloilo City every Wednesday in March. Parcon-Torres initiated this proposal to support those who struggle to afford civil registration fees, noting that late birth registration alone can cost over PHP1,000, with additional fees for late marriage registrations. Registration is considered late if not processed within 30 days of the event.

This series of legislative efforts underscores a commitment to making civil processes more accessible to the city's indigent population, reducing financial barriers, and ensuring that all residents can obtain essential civil documents without undue hardship.