THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Northern Mindanao announced that 7 'special children' are up for adoption even as it urges childless parents to adopt only through legal means.
Pamela Balais, DSWD-Northern Mindanao focal person for adoption resource and referral service, made the statement in the occasion of the Adoption Consciousness Celebration Week with the theme "Pagmamahal Palaganapin, Legal na Pag-aampon Ating Gawin".
To date, DSWD-Northern Mindanao has 5 children with certificates declaring the children legally available for adoption as well as the 7other children with special needs.
Balais said the celebration is aimed at raising awareness and helping prospective parents understand the importance of adhering to the legal process of adoption.
"Adhering to legal adoption will ensure that any orphaned, neglected, abandoned, and surrendered children would have a secure, permanent and a loving family they deserve, because they all deserve it," Balais said in a press conference Tuesday at the SM City Cagayan de Oro.
Legal adoption also protects the rights of children, she said.
Balais however noted that adoption could take some time, approximately 1 or 2 years. But she said the wait is worth it.
"A child finds her worth through legal adoption, because it gives security not only to the child but to his or her future parents, that they wouldn't have to fear that someday, the child they learned to love will be taken away from the biological parents," she said.
Rosanel Pague, head of the Reception and Study Center for Children-DSWD, for her part related the difficulty in finding the prospetive parents for the children with special needs.
Pague said these children have been with the DSWD for a long time since they could not find parents who are willing to take in the child.
"It seems hopeless because we tried for many years, so they have been with us since, of course we provide them the best care they deserve, the medicines, physical therapist every week. It's up to the mercy of the people if they find it in their hearts to accept these kids," Pague said.
Meanwhile, Balais emphasized that adoption isn't only for a man-woman couple but also for single parent, and gay parents.
Balais said the law does not discriminate, as long as the prospective parent has the parental capability to raise a child.
Prospective parents will undergo a strict assessment conducted by a social worker. The assessment will determine the financial capability and the support system, among others, of the parent who wants to adopt.
"We don't focus on the sexual orientation because anyone can abuse the children or put the life of a child at risk," she said.