Permanent validity of certificates of live birth, death and marriage

Section 3 of Republic Act (RA) 11909, otherwise known as the Permanent Validity of the Certificates of Live Birth, Death, and Marriage Act, states the following:

"Sec. 3. Permanent Validity. – The certificates of live birth, death, and marriage issued, signed, certified, or authenticated by the PSA and its predecessor, the NSO, and the local civil registries shall have permanent validity regardless of the date of issuance and shall be recognized and accepted in all government or private transactions or services requiring submission thereof, as proof of identity and legal status of a person xxx."

According to the above-mentioned law, civil registry documents (i.e., birth, death and marriage certificates), regardless of the date of issuance, shall now have permanent validity. It further states that these documents shall also be recognized and accepted in all government or private transactions or services requiring submission thereof, provided that they remain readable and contain the authenticity and security features without prejudice to administrative or judicial corrections that may be conducted pursuant to other laws.

Further, Section 5 of the same Act states:

"Sec. 5. Prohibition Against Requiring a New Copy of a Certificate. – National government agencies and instrumentalities, government-owned and -controlled corporations, local government units, private companies, private and public educational institutions, and other nongovernment entities are prohibited from requiring the submission of another or newer copies of certificates of live birth, death, or marriage, and reports of birth, death, or marriage when a valid certificate can already be presented."

Following the above-mentioned provision, government and private entities are prohibited from requiring the submission of another copy or newer copies of civil registry documents when a valid certificate can already be presented.

Certificates of live birth, death, and marriage, once issued, signed, certified or authenticated by the PSA, the NSO or local civil registries, shall have permanent validity regardless of their date of issuance.

These certificates must be recognized and accepted in all government and private transactions or services requiring their submission as proof of identity and legal status, thereby prohibiting these agencies or offices from asking for or requiring the submission of newer or other copies of the said civil registry records.

Source: Manila Times

PHL on ILO shortlist for curbing freedom of association

The Philippines is among the 24 countries shortlisted by the International Labour Organization (ILO) for labor violations, specifically ILO Convention 87 or the Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize.

The ILO is set to examine the Philippines’ compliance with Convention 87 on Friday in Geneva for the 112th Session of the International Labour Conference (ILC).

Speaking virtually from Geneva, labor leader and President of the Federation of Free Workers Jose G. Matula urged the government to respect workers’ freedom of association.

“Our country is one of the 24 countries shortlisted for not complying with ILO Conventions. Our focus now is the Philippines’ compliance with ILO 87 or the Freedom of Association. Included here is the workers’ right to unionize… most of the time,

workers can’t exercise their freedom of association,” he said in a briefing on Thursday.

He cited the so-called red-tagging (alleging Communist links) of union organizers, forced disappearances, the killing of union leaders, and the termination of union members.

Labor groups claim that between 2016 and 2024, 72 workers were killed, 28 detained as political prisoners, 6 abducted, and 53 falsely charged.

Last year, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. signed Executive Order No. 23 or the Reinforcing and Protecting the Freedom of Association and Right to Organize of Workers, which Mr. Matula said was issued without consulting workers.

Joanna Bernice S. Coronation, the Workers’ Head Delegate for the Philippines in Geneva, said: “The true test of compliance with freedom of association standards is unionization rates, and they remain stagnant. This is why wages have stagnated and job quality has not improved,” she added.

The Philippines was also shortlisted in 2019 and 2023.

Separately, Labor Undersecretary Benjo Santos M. Benavidez, also in Geneva, said the Philippines is counting on the conference to acknowledge the contributions of Filipino healthcare workers and caregivers.

“For the past decade, Filipino medical professionals, teaching personnel, health carers, health allied services workers, medical technicians, home carers, and carers for the elderly and the young have become part of the care economy in foreign employers’ families, facilities, and communities,” Mr. Benavidez said in a statement on Thursday.

The ILC started on June 3 and will run until June 14.

Cambodia and Laos are the other Southeast Asian countries on the shortlist.

Source: Business World

Is the construction industry climate-ready?

The construction industry is significantly impacted by climate change in various ways.

Because of their projected increase in frequency and intensity, extreme weather events such as hurricanes, storms, floods and heat waves can disrupt construction projects, damage their infrastructure, delay schedules and increase costs due to repairs and retrofits.

They disrupt work schedules, damaging equipment and materials, and hindering transportation and logistics. Heavy rainfall can saturate construction sites, making excavation and foundation work difficult or unsafe, while high winds can pose risks to workers and equipment.

They can lead to cost overruns for construction projects due to delays, repairs and additional expenses associated with mitigating weather-related damage. Builders may incur costs for repairing storm damage, replacing damaged materials and implementing protective measures against future weather events, such as reinforcing structures, installing storm shutters or elevating buildings above flood levels.

Extreme weather events can also damage construction sites, buildings and infrastructure, leading to structural failures, property damage and disruption of essential services. Floods can inundate roads, bridges and utilities, while high winds can damage roofs, windows and exterior cladding. Infrastructure resilience measures such as flood barriers, stormwater drainage systems and wind-resistant building design can help mitigate damage and enhance resilience to extreme weather events.

Extreme weather events can increase insurance costs for construction projects, as insurers may adjust premiums and deductibles to reflect heightened risks associated with climate-related hazards.

Rising sea levels due to climate change pose significant risks to coastal construction projects and infrastructure. They increase the risk of flooding and inundation of coastal infrastructure like roads, bridges, ports, airports and utilities. Infrastructure built in low-lying coastal areas becomes more susceptible to damage from storm surges, high tides and coastal erosion, leading to increased maintenance costs, disruptions to transportation networks, and potential loss of life and property.

Architects, engineers and builders must consider the potential impacts of sea level rise in designing and constructing buildings and structures in coastal areas. They may include elevating buildings above projected flood levels, incorporating flood-resistant materials and construction techniques, and designing drainage and stormwater management systems to mitigate flood risks.

Sea level rise

Sea level rise exacerbates coastal erosion and sediment loss, threatening beaches, dunes and coastal habitats. The construction industry's implementation of shoreline protection measures such as seawalls, revetments, beach nourishment and dune restoration can stabilize coastlines, reduce erosion and protect coastal infrastructure and communities from wave action and storm surges.

Existing infrastructure in coastal areas may require adaptation and retrofitting to address the impacts of sea level rise. This could involve raising roads and bridges, upgrading stormwater drainage systems, retrofitting buildings with flood barriers and waterproofing measures, and relocating critical infrastructure away from flood-prone areas.

Temperature increases affect materials, work conditions, project planning and infrastructure resilience. They can affect the performance and durability of construction materials, such as concrete, asphalt, steel and wood. Higher temperatures can accelerate the curing process of concrete, leading to reduced strength and durability if not properly managed.

They can increase energy consumption for construction projects, particularly during hot weather conditions. Air-conditioning, ventilation and cooling systems may be required to maintain comfortable working conditions for construction workers.

They can affect construction sites' productivity and efficiency by making physical labor more challenging and reducing worker morale and motivation. Extreme heat may need work schedule adjustments, like starting work earlier in the morning or working later in the evening when temperatures are cooler to minimize heat-related risks and optimize productivity.

Temperature increases can impact the resilience and longevity of infrastructure systems, such as roads, bridges, buildings and utilities. They can exacerbate thermal expansion and contraction of materials, leading to increased wear and tear, maintenance costs and the need for climate-resilient design and construction practices to enhance durability and performance.

Climate change adaptation and mitigation measures are increasingly being integrated into building codes, zoning regulations and environmental standards. Regulatory changes may subject construction projects to new requirements and regulations related to climate resilience, energy efficiency, emissions reduction and environmental sustainability, influencing project design, permitting and compliance processes.

The construction industry holds immense potential to drive positive change in our world. It is time that it rises to the challenge, be climate-ready, embrace sustainability and build a better, greener and more sustainable future for all.

Source: Manila Times