President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr.has officially extended the Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) Decade from 2024 to 2030, aiming to enhance birth and death registration systems and legal identity frameworks across the Philippines.This decision, formalized through Proclamation No.

1339, aligns with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) regional framework and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The extension follows a consensus reached during the Third Ministerial Conference on Civil Registration and Vital Statistics in Asia and the Pacific, where participating nations agreed to prolong the regional CRVS Decade to 2030 to meet Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The proclamation highlights significant progress made during the initial decade, including improved birth and death registration, expanded access to legal identity for marginalized groups, and stronger inter-agency collaborations.

However, challenges such as gaps in universal registration, limited integration of health and civil registry systems, and the need for digitalization remain.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) has been designated as the lead agency to coordinate and monitor the extended CRVS Decade, with all government agencies, local units, NGOs, and the private sector required to support its implementation.

This initiative underscores the Philippines' commitment to advancing legal identity and administrative efficiency, ensuring equitable access to essential services for all citizens.