Ormoc Upside Down

In the past, we used typewriters to prepare communications. It took several hours to finish a 3-page affidavit. I recall when I was the criminal investigator of Los Baños, Laguna Police Department way back in 1956-57. I used an Underwood Model 1930 manual typewriter. We did not have the modern electric typewriter then. An error had to be erased with the rubber eraser at one end of Mongol pencil or just superimposed it with xxxxxx to hasten the typing of the statement.

The snowpake with water base correction liquid, correction pen with rolling ball-metal tip and several brands of the liquid versions of erasers that made erasing and rewriting simpler were not yet in the market. True correction fluids help but it only leaves white splotches in the paper, also in the carbon copies. We use carbon papers to produce duplicates of the original.

All are now of the past. We have the computer where you can make corrections immediately, by the backspace and delete of the keyboard. We can type to correct word or the latest versions of the Microsoft Word can do the automatic corrections. It makes the strenuous work of typing easy. There is no need for the carbon paper. Merely print several copies with the printer connected with the computer.

The computerization in the city government has speed up transactions, but there is limitation. The week before, a relative requested me to help secure her ligitimation from the National Statistics Office.

First, I sent an inquiry to the National Statistics Office (NSO) through email.

“Elizabeth Bonaparte of Ormoc City was born before the marriage of her parents Alexander Bonaparte and Rossana Monroe. She was registered as Elizabeth Monroe, No. 98-xxxxx on March 2, 1998. After marriage her birth certificate was annotated with the father’s acknowledgment. However, when she secured the NSO certification from Tacloban City, her family name is still Monroe. What is the proper action to have it appear in the birth registry her family name is Bonaparte. It is badly needed for her PhilHealth application.” (Names are change for anonymity)

NSO’s ecensus1@census.gov.ph, replied:

“For first-time requesters of civil registry records that underwent correction through LEGITIMATION, the NSO requires the submission of the following:

“(1) Certified True Copy of the Affidavit/Deed of Paternity/Acknowledgment; (2) Certified True Copy of the Joint Affidavit of Legitimation; (3) Certified True Copy of the Certificate of Registration of Affidavit of Legitimation; (4) Certified True Copy of the Annotated Birth Certificate; (5) Certified True Copy of the Marriage Certificate of the Parents.

“All of the above documents are to be requested from and issued by the Local Civil Registry Office (LCRO), where the Legitimation was filed and registered.  The NSO neither accepts photocopies nor files of the scanned images of the documents.  They require the Certified True Copies (CTCs) with the fresh signature of the Local Civil Registrar for verification and authentication purposes.

“Together with the required Certified True Copies (CTCs) as supporting documents, please do as follows:

“1. Include a formal written letter requesting for the annotated record. It should be addressed to: MS. LOURDES J. HUFANA, CIVIL REGISTRATION DEPARTMENT

NATIONAL STATISTICS OFFICE, 3/F VIBAL BUILDING, EDSA COR. TIMES ST., QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES 1104

“2. Enclose a Postal Money Order (PMO) for P140.00 for one (1) copy of the annotated record.

“3. Provide a self-addressed envelope, or a prepaid pouch from any of your preferred local courier service, so that the NSO can send back the document result to you.

“If you are submitting the annotated record to another entity, it is suggested that you request for two (2) copies of the record, amounting to P280.00; one copy will be for the entity and the other for your personal record.  This will serve as your reference for subsequent requests for the annotated document.”

Indeed, this Tuesday, my relative went to the Local Civil Registrar at the New City Hall Building. She paid the corresponding fees and asked to return in the afternoon of Wednesday.

I was surprised to hear her required to return the next day. That was 24 hours. I have in mind the words of City Mayor Eric C. Codilla that the city government is now at the 4th level of computerization. Meaning the first level is the connection of two computers in an office. Second level is the connection of two or more computers in an office. Third level is connection between computers of one department to another department in the same building. Fourth level is connection between one building to another building.

With the level of computerization in the city government, I thought the speed of 10 minutes as confided to me by Dr. Achilles Silva, the Local Civil Registrar Officer, is for all kinds of transaction. The speedy transaction could not be the same as we requested. However, the next morning, Wednesday, when I went to the Local Civil Registrar Office, I found out that the papers were already on the desk of Dr. Silva for signature in the endorsement.

The clerk explained to me that her computer was under repair that day and she was able to finish downloading the records at about 5pm from the other employee’s computer. Indeed, the computer is a great help to the present business transaction of the government, as well as, in private offices.

Gone were the days of snowpake fluid and rubber erasers to produce a document! (Email g_duna@yahoo.com)

By: Fidel D. Banzon