Researchers into Filipino genealogy used to be able to access the digital records of Family Search. Records were easily accessed by going to the Search, then Catalog section, of the website.

One can still search what records are available for a certain town and city.
In this example, all records are seen with a key above it, indicating that it is locked or restricted. When you try to access it, it tells you to visit one of the partner sites of Family Search or the original, legal custodian of the records. For now, one can still make use of the indexed records by clicking on Records and searching for an ancestor or relatives' name. If you're lucky, you can find the right name with some information in it.

Unfortunately, when the Data Privacy Act took effect, the digital collection of Family Search, showing parish and civil records, became restricted.

Republic Act No. 10173, otherwise known as the Data Privacy Act is a law that seeks to protect all forms of information, be it private, personal, or sensitive. It is meant to cover both natural and juridical persons involved in the processing of personal information.

Because of this law, even the information found in archival records are included. Under Sec. 3(g) of the Data Privacy Act, “[p]ersonal information refers to any information whether recorded in a material form or not, from which the identity of an individual is apparent or can be reasonably and directly ascertained by the entity holding the information, or when put together with other information would directly and certainly identify an individual.” In other words, personal information is any information which can be linked to your identity, thus making you readily identifiable.

We reached out to Family Search Philippines and asked them a few questions about how the law has affected people's ability to access genealogical records.

1. How has the Data Privacy Act impacted the availability of records in terms of Philippine genealogical research using FamilySearch?

-The direct impact of this DPA is that all of the record images were taken down from the general public, as advised by our legal counsel. All of the indexes to birth records, and marriage records within the last 70 years are also being taken down.

2. Is there any chance of the records being made available again for viewing?

- This is the hope ang goal of FamilySearch. It's just that the current uncertainties about the DPA necessitate conservatives measures to protect our operations. Until a clear understanding/document/interpretation of the law is produced in favor of genealogical records, FamilySearch deems it for the best interest of everyone to maintain the status quo restrictions.

3. In the absence of online access for now, can researchers view the microfilm instead?

- We are working around this issue in the meantime by providing the parishes with digital images of any records we have microfilmed from them. It is hoped that the researchers will work with these parishes/Local civil registrars/archives to have access to digitized images we have provided or will provide to them.

4. What other means / channels can they explore to help in their research?

- the University of Sto. Tomas has copies of some parish record microfilms. The National Archive, PSA, and local civil registrars should be the primary go-to places while we are still carefully sorting through matters concerning data privacy.

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CREDITS:
Chart/Script: T. Sales
Narration/Editing: T. Sales
Intro animation: Filipino Genealogy Channel

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