Mayor John Geesnell Yap (back row, 4th from left) is with Local Civil Registrar (LCR) Virginia Incog (back row, 4th from right) as both show the certificate that recognizes the Tagbilaran LCR as the most efficient in civil registrations in Central Visayas. The recognition comes from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). Other personalities from the LCR stand at the back row. They are: Cecilia Montemayor (3rd from right), Rizalina Pumatong (2nd from right) and Marichu Barbetchu (extreme right). Staff members from the LCR office shown in the photo are at the front row from left: Jubelyn Pulgarinas, Harvey Sarabia, Albert Olmedo, Josephine Kudemus, Jonalyn Brunidor, Analyn Ceballos, Wilfreda Libarra, and Aiza Majuddin. Contributed photo

Out of the 132 local government units (LGU) in the Central Visayas Region, Tagbilaran City was ranked number 1 in terms of efficiency in civil registration. 

Tagbilaran City Local Civil Registry Officer Virgilia Incog received the award for being the top performer in the region given during 2019 Outstanding Local Civil Registry Office Awards. 

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) through Regional Director Ariel E. Florendo handed the award to Incog, a report from the City Media Bureau says.

Tagbilaran City belongs to the Super Extra-Large Classification, the report adds.

RECOGNIZING THE LCR

A formal ceremony acknowledging the receipt of the citation from the PSA was held on Nov. 2, 2021 at the City Hall Atrium.

City Mayor John Geesnell Yap congratulated the hardwork and dedication of the whole local civil registrar (LCR) team.

“This award is indeed a testament to your [referring to the LCR] dedication and commitment to public service. We are proud of you and we will continue to support all your endeavors,” Mayor Yap said.

It can be remembered that the Tagbilaran LCR was ranked in the top 20 in terms of efficiency back in 2015. The 2015 citation means that the LCR team was able to efficiently adhere to the PSA’s mandated tasks.

The Tagbilaran LCR team also conducts free civil wedding involving Tagbilaranon couples every February 14. Mayor Yap is the solemnizing officer of the free mass wedding and he is assisted by Incog. 

This initiative is pursuant to Proclamation 682 which declares the month of February of every year as Civil Registration Month. The Tagbilaran City Government provides the wedding cake, wine, bouquet, corsage, wedding token, and a wedding feast good for 10 guests.

The LCR in each local government unit is under the auspices of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) as mandated by Republic Act 10625. The LCR in each LGUs is tasked to carry out, to enforce, and to administer civil registration functions in the country.

In another development, Tagbilaran City was also cited as the most efficient in vaccine rollout in Central Visayas and 4th best outside Metro Manila.

A related story on the successful vaccine rollout is published on page 6 of this paper.

According to the data, the City Health Office has already inoculated more than 97% of the target population of the city thus achieving herd immunity. Herd immunity is achieved after inoculating 70% of a locality’s target population.