DSWD warns public vs illegal adoption through social media
direct placement of children up for adoption. This is a clear violation of children’s rights and we are strongly condemning these illegal acts,” the Secretary warned.
“No children should be treated as a commodity which can be brought online or anywhere else. We are going to take legal measures to ensure that these children will be protected and we urge the public to join us in this crusade,” added Sec. Orogo.
Aside from the issue of illegal adoption, the Department is currently pushing for reforms to streamline the adoption process by means of making legal adoption an administrative process instead of going through courts.
“One of the reasons why the DSWD is creating means to hasten the process of adoption is to prevent birth simulation that deprives adopted children to know their identity, and to break the stigma that legal adoption is only for people who can afford the process,” explained the Secretary.
Adopt legally
Based on the data provided by the DSWD Protective Services Bureau (PSB), the DSWD has facilitated the placement of 1,818 children for domestic adoption from 2010 to 2017.
During the same period, the Department also developed 1,847 local adoptive parents.
“We urge families and prospective adoptive parents to directly transact with DSWD-Field Offices and accredited partnerchild placement agencies to ensure the proper facilitation of the process of legal adoption,” reminded Sec. Orogo.
Through a public notice, the DSWD reiterated that its services are free for all of those who want to adopt, but the applicants will spend money for securing required documents during the administrative phase of adoption such as authenticated birth certificates, medical evaluation, psychological reports, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) clearance or police clearance, among others.
Prospective adoptive parents are also required to secure services of private lawyers for the judicial phase which includes the filing of petition for adoption, court appearances in trials and other services for the finalization of adoption.
Interested persons may contact the various DSWD offices listed on https:// www.dswd.gov.ph/directory/ for adoption inquires. They can also inquire from Norfil Foundation, Inc., a DSWD-accredited child placement agency, at (02) 372-3577/79 local or 3732169 or through its email address, norfilfoundation @yahoo.com.
“Rest assured that the DSWD has the expertise and commitment to implement the process and that we will always keep in mind the welfare and best interest of children,” the Secretary said.
“It is only through legal adoption that we can safeguard abandoned and neglected children, not only by giving these children loving homes, but to ensure that they are provided, under the law, with full rights similar to biological children in order to reach their best potential.”