TARLAC CITY (PIA) — The National Authority for Child Care is intensifying its efforts to combat illegal adoption and baby selling by strengthening public awareness campaigns and promoting a faster and more accessible legal adoption process through the Regional Alternative Child Care Office (RACCO) III.
During the celebration of the Adoption and Alternative Child Care Week, the agency highlighted the importance of legal adoption and alternative child care in protecting children from exploitation and ensuring they are placed in safe, loving, and permanent family environments.
RACCO III Officer-in-Charge Sheila Sicat said illegal adoption and baby-selling activities still occur, highlighting the need for stronger public awareness and community engagement efforts.
“Marami pa ring cases. Very rampant pa rin ang illegal baby selling and illegal adoption for that matter, so we want to raise awareness (There are still a lot of cases. Illegal baby-selling and illegal adoption, for that matter, remain rampant, which is why we want to raise awareness),” she said.
To address the issue, RACCO III continues to conduct information campaigns and community engagements aimed at educating prospective adoptive parents, guardians, and the public on legal adoption procedures and children’s rights.
RACCO III Legal Officer Edren Mayo said that their office is partnering with other agencies for faster information dissemination.
“We are also strengthening our partnership with other agencies such as law enforcement agencies and local government units. Mayroon tayong mga activities na kino-conduct in order to disseminate information regarding illegal adoption and other crimes involving children (We are conducting activities in order to disseminate information regarding illegal adoption and other crimes involving children),” he stated.
As part of its advocacy, RACCO III is also promoting the administrative adoption process under the NACC, which has streamlined the adoption system, making it more accessible to families seeking to legally adopt a child or become foster parents.
Sicat discussed that the establishment of the NACC under Republic Act No. 11642, or the Domestic Administrative Adoption and Alternative Child Care Act, has significantly simplified the adoption process compared to previous procedures.
“With the establishment of the NACC as the country’s one-stop quasi-judicial agency for administrative adoption and alternative child care, and with its sole and exclusive jurisdiction over these programs and services, hindi na po kasing hirap noon ang mag-ampon o maging foster parent (it’s not as difficult as it used to be to adopt or become a foster parent),” she highlighted.
Sicat also described the administrative adoption process as faster, more accessible, and centered on the best interests of the child.
Meanwhile, RACCO III Social Welfare Officer John Paul Dayrit underscored the efficiency of the administrative adoption system, noting that adoption orders can now be issued within three months.
“We are proud to say that, in some cases, an Order of Adoption has been issued within just three months after the petition was filed,” he shared.
With the streamlined process, RACCO III reported that 267 children in Central Luzon have been placed in safe and nurturing homes through alternative child care programs, including 200 domestic adoptions, 35 inter-country adoptions, and 32 foster care placements.
In addition, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Ma. Elena Jalos reaffirmed the commitment of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office to supporting the agency’s advocacy through continuous information dissemination at the local level.
“Patuloy pa rin kami na magbibigay ng information dissemination pagdating po sa legal na pag-aalaga ng bata o iyong sinasabing legal adoption (We continue to conduct information dissemination on the legal process of taking care of a child or what is called legal adoption),” Jalos said.
The agency also emphasized that legal adoption and alternative child care programs not only protect children from exploitation and illegal adoption practices but also provide children with the opportunity to grow up in safe, stable, and nurturing family environments.
The initiative supports the administration’s commitment under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to strengthen child welfare and social protection programs by ensuring that vulnerable children are provided with permanent family care, protection, and opportunities for inclusive development. (CLJD/AJRR, PIA Region 3-Tarlac)
