21 February 2023, Indigenous Filipino School of Upper Kepiya, Brgy. Lawa, Don Marcelino, Davao Occidental – The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Davao Occidental Provincial Statistical Office in coordination with Don Marcelino Public School District and Lawa Central Elementary School conducted Outreach Program as part of the 33^rd Civil Registration Month pursuant to Proclamation 682 signed by then President Corazon C. Aquino and issued on 28 January 1991. The observance of this annual celebration aims to remind the citizenry of their duty to register acts and events concerning status of persons, enhance nationwide awareness and appreciation of the legal, administrative and statistical values of civil registry documents. This year’s CRM theme is “PSA @ 10: "Providing Efficient and Effective Civil Registration and Vital Statistics through Digital Transformation". Staff from PSA Davao Occidental Provincial Statistical Office, Sangguniang Bayan Office, Don Marcelino Police Office participated the event. The participants hiked for more than 2 hours to reach the school. 
 

Indigenous Filipino School of Upper Kepiya is an eighteen (18) years old school, an annex school of Lawa Central Elementary School funded by San Lorenzo Parish of Don Marcelino that is located in a far-flung area of the Municipality of Don Marcelino. A total of 40 students were enrolled in the said school.

The outreach program was composed of series of activities such as: Feeding Program, Giving of School Supplies, Registration for Philippine Identification System, Distribution of ePhilID, and PBRAP Verification. Also, during the program, CSS Jessie A. Madulin shared relevant information regarding Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) and discussed how CRVS plays a significant role for all individuals by ensuring the registration of births, deaths, and marriages. During the event the President of the Parent-Teacher Association, the Teachers of Indigenous Filipino School of Upper Kepiya and the Sanguniang Bayan Member Committee on Education expressed their gratitude to the PSA Office because it is the first time that a National Agency reached the area and rendered such activities.

The outreach activity ended successfully, the sweats, number of hours walking was all worth it after seeing the smiles plastered on the faces of the students and the gratefulness of the parents and teachers.