WHEREAS, statistics show that the present estimate of level of registration of vital events in the country is only eighty-five percent;

WHEREAS, there is a need for the attainment of one hundred per cent registration of births, deaths, marriages and foundlings to develop a comprehensive information system of civil status as a basis for the effective implementation of the various programs of the government;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FIDEL V. RAMOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by Book I, Chapter 7, Section 27, of the Administrative Code of 1987, do hereby declare that the registration of births, deaths, marriages and foundlings as a national state policy.

All concerned departments, agencies and local government units are hereby encouraged to advance and promulgate measures for the adoption of effective registration procedure, including the elimination of registration fees, in accordance with the Civil Registry Law and other existing laws.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.

Adopted: 14 Feb. 1994