THE Regional Alternative Child Care Office in Davao (Racco-Davao) exceeds its target for domestic adoption in 2023 through the administrative process of adoption.
During the Kapehan sa Dabaw media forum on Monday, focal person for adoption of Racco-Davao Marylou Polancos said 23 adoption cases have been filed, wherein six cases were issued with order for adoption. This is from the initial target of 18 adoptions.
Polancos said more people have raised interest to adopt since Republic Act 11642 or the Domestic Administrative Adoption and Alternative Child Care Act was passed last year during the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte.
The law allows for a cheaper and easier process of adoption as compared to the judicial process.
Before RA 11642, a typical judicial adoption could cost up to P150,000 which are mostly fees for private lawyers. Through the administrative adoption, Polancos said there are virtually no fees.
Wala gyod sila gasto, kato na lang sa pagkuha nila og requirements og sa publication sa preferred publication company nila (There is no payment other than the cost of getting their requirements and for the publication of their adoption), she said.
Adoptive parent Susan Taglucop started their adoption through the judicial process but with the new law, they refiled their adoption through the administrative process which for them was easier.
Nag proceed dayon mi sa court proceedings but niabot ning bagong balaod, natagaan mi option whether ipadayon namo sa court proceedings or sa administrative (We proceeded with the court hearings but with the new law, we were given an option to continue or choose the administrative process). We opted for administrative proceedings so ing-ato lang, dili siya kaayo komplikado (it was not very complicated), she said.
Polancos added that the process for administrative adoption would start with filing for a case with Racco then it would be raised to the National Authority for Child Care.
Currently, around four judicial proceedings for adoption in Davao Region are active.
Since 2009, there have been 639 children legally available for adoption in Davao Region. Of this, 385 were domestically adopted while 241 were intercountry adoption.