As of 31 December 2024, a huge majority of the population in Catanduanes has been registered fpr issuance of a National ID, an impressive achievement for the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) provincial statistical office.
In a statement, PSA Catanduanes said its efforts led to the registration of 260,936 individuals, which is 92/7 percent of the projected population of 281,381 of the island province for 2024.
“This significant milestone highlights the dedicated efforts of the PSA in ensuring that nearly all residents of
Catanduanes are registered,” the PSA stated, adding that the overall goal of the PSA is to achieve complete coverage and provide every individual with a National ID.
Records show that it registered 195,598 people in 2021 when the registration campaign was launched, followed by 34,087 in 2022.
Last year, the PSA registered a total of 20,780, which is 98 percent more than the 10,471 recorded for 2023.
The significant increase was attributed to PSA’s success in enhancing outreach programs, increasing accessibility through mobile registration units, and collaborating with local government units and community leaders.
The introduction of biometric exemptions also played a crucial role in facilitating the registration process. The “Rehistro Bulilit” campaign, along with mobile and house-to-house registration initiatives, significantly contributed to this success, it added.
Among the municipalities, Bagamanoc stands out with an exceptional registration rate of
98.8%, registering 10,479 out of its 10,605 projected population, leaving only 126 individuals
unregistered.
Here’s the numbers for the other 10 towns: Bato, 97.2% (21,526 out of 22,151); Pandan, 95.6% (21,320 out of 22,310); Gigmoto, 95.3% (8,588 out of 9,012); San Miguel, 93.9% (15,272 out of 16,271); Baras, 93.4% (13,120 out of 14,043); San Andres, 92.5% (36,952 out of 39,963); Virac, 91.7% (72,506 out of 79,030); Viga, 90.3% (21,644 out of 23,959); Panganiban, 89.7% (9,052 out of 10,087); and Caramoran, 89.7% (30,451 out of 33,951).
The top three barangays with the highest registrations are all located in Virac: San Isidro Village leads with 5,022 registrants, followed by Cavinitan with 3,834, and Calatagan Proper with 3,097. Other notable barangays include Tubli in Caramoran with 3,060 registrants and Bigaa in Virac with 3,007. In San Andres, Manambrag and Cabcab have 2,936 and 2,854 registrants, respectively. Meanwhile, Cabugao in Bato has 2,907 registrants, Toytoy in Caramoran has 2,731, and Mayngaway in San Andres has 2,456.
Since 12 February 2024, a total of 11,286 children aged 1 to 4 years old have been registered, and 193 children below 1 year old have been registered since 21 November 2024. As of 31 December 2024, the total number of registered children below 5 years old in Catanduanes is 11,479. The largest concentration of these registrations comes from the capital municipality of Catanduanes, Virac, leading the count for the 1 to 4-year-old age group at 3,162.
The data also indicates variations among municipalities, with some areas, like San Andres and Caramoran, showing a higher registration compared to others. Efforts are ongoing to register this age group, ensuring that all young children in Catanduanes are covered by the National ID system.
The 92.7% growth in PhilSys registration in Catanduanes in 2024 is a testament to the PSA’s adaptive strategies, innovative solutions, and unwavering commitment to inclusivity. With this momentum, the province is well on its way to achieving 100% coverage, ensuring that every Catandunganon enjoys the benefits of a unified and secure identification system, the statement said.
The PSA stressed that it remains steadfast in its mission to make national identification accessible, efficient, and inclusive for all.