LA TRINIDAD Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) is in need of foster parents to look after children.
MSWD Officer III Cristina Anioay said interested couples may visit their office to undergo training on fostering children.
"We are in need of interested and willing foster parents because there are a lot of children in need. These are children who may live with the foster parent or may foster a child living with their parents," Anioay said.
Meanwhile, to further strengthen foster care in the municipality, Councilor Roderick Awingan authored the ordinance "La Trinidad Foster Care Program."
Awingan said the ordinance is needed to properly prescribe guidelines in the implementation of the program in the town.
"It is a localized program wherein we would like to provide a child proper care," Awingan added.
In the ordinance, eligible foster parents are those of legal age, at least 16 years older than the foster child unless a relative of the minor, physically and mentally capable to provide familial atmosphere, and must be willing to undergo training or counseling for the purpose of increasing or improving knowledge in parenting.
Awingan also reiterated foreign foster parents are also welcome provided they possess similar qualities, have resided in the country for at least 12 continuous months at the time of application, undertake to maintain such residence until the termination of placement by the local government or expiration of the foster care license.
The ordinance added the local government unit will lead the responsibility in recruiting and developing fostering parents of the Foster Care Program.
Aside from this, social workers will study the reports based from assessments to lead in the issuance of foster family care license and matching to a child.
In cases the agency is unable to match a child to a foster parent, the child will be referred to the regional office for matching.