WITH 616 children declared ready for adoption, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) called on responsible families to give these children a home.
From 2009-2017, there are now 616 children with Pre-Adoption Placement Authority (PAPA) and Affidavit of Consent for Adoption (ACA), and Regional Adoption Clearance, the DSWD said during a Kapihan sa Philippine Information Agency. At least 564 others have been endorsed to DSWD for the issuance of a Certification Declaring a Child Available for Adoption.
This means that of the total number of 616 homeless children legally available for adoption, there are 564 who do not have known relatives who could adopt them while 52 do have relatives, Clavel Saycon explained in a phone interview. She heads Adoption Resource and Referral at the DSWD 7.
She added that some of these children are still undergoing processes like inter-country adoption. Saycon clarified that although they hope these children find homes locally, in some cases they have to seek families abroad.
Adoption is a serious legal subject, as well as a socio-legal process. Apart from urging families to take children under their wing, the DSWD also encourages those parents who have not legally adopted their kids to legalize their adoption, especially those who are guilty of “simulation of birth.” They may file a petition to rectify the situation.
Saycon explained that this is done when certain people tamper with the birth certificate of infants, to make it appear they had given birth to children who are not biologically theirs.
Saycon said that although they see these offenses as being done with good intentions, they would still recommend that these people legalize the adoption, for which DSWD will offer support.
Adoptions are for those who are under 18 but persons with disability may be legally adopted even if they are older than 18, for as long as those who adopt them are at least 16 years older.
Saycon also emphasized the importance of foster care.
DSWD reported that there are 74 children currently in temporary homes. At least 52 foster parents from the provinces of Cebu and Negros are licensed by the department.
Of the group, 21 are licensed foster parents developed by the DSWD 7 and 31 are from NORFIL Foundation.
Saycon said that although they are happy that the 74 children are housed by foster families, DSWD hopes to recruit two foster parents in every municipality. (Tessa Frances Aguilar and Liza Marie Caube, USJ-R Interns)