10 September 2014 - The Philippine delegation, headed by National Statistician Lisa Grace Bernales of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), participated in the Regional Preparatory Meeting (RPM) on the Ministerial Conference on Civil Registration and Vital Statistics from August 28 to 29 at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP).

During the RPM, Ms. Bersales, who is also the Chair of the ESCAP Committee on Statistics in her remarks, remarked that “our shared version is that of babies in Asia and the Pacific born in an environment which assures them of recognition of their legal identity and all dignity and benefits that this recognition brings with it.”

Department of Health (DOH) Assistant Secretary Dr. Enrique Tayag was also elected Vice-Chair of the RPM and likewise chaired the discussion during the second day of the meeting.

The other members of the delegation were PSA Interim Deputy National Statistician. Paula Monina Collado, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Director Marites Maristela, DOH Lawyer Romela Devera, Philippine Embassy’s (BKKPE) Alternate Permanent Representative (APR) to UNESCAP Princess Tomas-Tayao and Third Secretary Anna Marie Santos, Office of the Cabinet Secretary Lawyer Christine Lovely Red, and Department of Education (DepEd) Statistician Mercy Castro. END