BY ARNELYN L. LAPATIS & MEKYLA JANE TICAR/CMU Interns
THE REGIONAL Alternative Child Care Office (RACCO) XI recorded three foundling cases in 2025, and a social worker hoped that these would be the last.
Jennyluz M. Coma, Social Welfare Officer 2 of RACCO XI, said 24 foundlings have been reported in Region XI alone. The most recent occurred on March 20, 2025, in Lanzona Subdivision in Matina.
The infant still had his umbilical cord, which indicated he was born without medical assistance. He was placed inside a red paper bag, and his cries were luckily heard by a passing resident. The bag also had a letter, presumably from the boy’s parents, who wrote the baby’s name and a wish for someone to care for and love the baby as their own.
Under Republic Act 11767, RACCO XI is mandated to protect and process legal documents for abandoned children.
“Ang foundling mao ni ang mga bata nga wala’y legal document. Mao ning mga bata na gi abandona, wala’y facts of birth, dili masubay kung asa ilahang parentage. Wala’y record. Wala’y any information ang maong child sa ilahang family,” Coma explained.
She clarified that while it may be easy for parents or relatives to abandon a child, reclaiming custody is not simple.
“Amoa pa i-conduct ang proper na assessment kung sila ba gyud ang ginikanan o kung sila ba gyud ang relative sa bata. Naa tay process na agian, and until mabahil-an nato base sa assessment and sa mga documents na i-present [sa claimant], so that’s the time. Kung positive ang assessment then pwede si child mabalik pero taas pa ang agian,” the spokesperson added.
RACCO XI ensures that abandoned children remain under government custody until proper assessments and verifications are completed. Only after confirming the identity and relationship of the claimant through documents and evaluations can a child be returned.
On the issue of child trafficking, Coma stated that while there are reported cases of children being exploited, there have been no recorded incidents of foundlings in Region XI being sold.
RACCO urges legal adoption
Meanwhile, Eden G. Macalino, RACCO XI OIC, highlighted the availability of an amnesty under the law that allows parents to correct irregular adoptions.
“Naa gyud tay amnesty. Mao na ang ginatawag nato nga Administrative Adoption or RA 11222 (Simulated Birth Rectification Act),” Macalino said in a press conference on Adoption and Alternative Child Care at NCCC Victoria Plaza on Friday, June 13.
Macalino noted that in the past, the high cost and lengthy adoption process led many to commit violations.
“Tungod sa kadako sa bayrunon ug sa taas nga proseso sa korte, mahal jud ang adoption,” Macalino said.
Macalino explained that birth simulation—a practice where individuals falsely declare themselves as a child’s biological parents—is a criminal offense.
In a statement, Macalino said that the simulation of birth records is a criminal offense under the Republic Act 11222.
“Katong mga nag simulate nga kunohay sila ang parents pero tinuod dili sila, sala gyud na siya sa balaod,” Macalino stressed.
Macalino reiterated RACCO’s continuous efforts to educate the public, stressing that falsifying birth records remains illegal.
