by Lourhenz B. Igloria and Rojean Grace Patumbon/UM Interns
THE REGIONAL Alternative Child Care Offices in Davao Region (RACCO XI) urged families to open their homes to neglected and unwanted kids as the process is now cheaper and more accessible.
The country marks the Adoption and Alternative Child Care Week 2023 with the theme, “#EveryChildMatters: A New Era in Adoption and Alternative Child Care.”
Republic Act (RA) 11642, or the “Domestic Administrative Adoption and Alternative Child Care Act,” declares the second week of June for adoption and child care week.
During the press conference at SM Annex, Jane Plana, RACCO XI foster care focal person, said that the adoption process has transitioned from judicial to administrative, which means interested parents no longer need to undergo complicated legal proceedings to adopt a child.
Republic Act 11122, or the “Simulated Birth Rectification Act,” explicitly states that an adoptive parent has the right to rectify a simulated birth record of their adopted child.
In an interview, Vivian Saavedra, a proud adoptive parent, said the law’s enactment made revising and correcting birth certificates easier.
In terms of costs, Marylou Polancos, RACCO XI adoption focal person, said the prospective parents would significantly be unburdened with the new process.
For instance, the judicial process would cost parents between P80,000 and P150,000 for local adoption and P150,000-P200,000 for international adoption.
In contrast, in the administrative process, they only need to pay for the publication in a newspaper with general circulation, per Republic Act No. 11642.
Since 2009, the office has recorded 639 adoption cases. Of that figure, 385 were local adoptions and 241 international. In 2023, there were 23 adoption cases in Davao City, exceeding the required number of adoptions by the national agency.
The child should be declared legally available for adoption in accordance with RA 9523. The RACCO XI requires the following from adoptive parents: screening for application, marriage contract, proof of financial capacity, and no criminal record. Aside from these requirements, a social worker will validate the environment and background of the family and the community to guarantee the child’s safety.
“Sa atong balaod, wala ta naga-discriminate pantay-pantay tang tanan, depende na sa atoang assesment sa social worker. Wala tay gi ingon didto na bawal jud ning mga ing ani regardless sa iyang preference welcome mag adopt (Everyone is equal under the law, it does not discriminate. It depends on the social worker’s assessment. Regardless of preference, everybody is welcome to adopt)” Polancos said
Foster parent Anie Raylene Gortina expressed the highs and lows of fostering. She said caring for foster children is difficult, especially if the child’s formative years are already established.
In Region XI alone, there are about 47 foster parents. Interested foster parents are required to attend a seminar highlighting the duties and responsibilities of a foster parent: procure a barangay certificate, police/NBI clearance, medical certificate, family pictures, and proof of income.
A licensed foster parent is only allowed to care for three foster children and will receive a subsidy from the government. Each child is allocated cash assistance of P8,000, and P10,000 for children with special needs.
In line with the Adoption Consciousness Week celebration, RACCO XI encouraged the biker community in Davao City to participate in their upcoming event, a bike ride activity, on June 11, 2023.
