Legazpi City-The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office V has officially commenced with its annual celebration of the Adoption Consciousness Week yesterday at Puro, Legazpi City.

The theme of this year’s celebration is “Pagmamahal palaganapin, legal na pag-aampon ating gawin (Spread unconditional love through legal adoption)”.

Different government agencies were present yesterday who joined the foot parade and Zumba as part of the opening program. Local officials from National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM), Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Educo, National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), Civil Service Commission (CSC), National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Commission on Population (POPCOM) were present.

“We would like to inform the public that DSWD will guide you with the legal adoption process. Consultation with us is free of service,” DSWD Regional Director Arnel Garcia said.

As part of the weeklong celebration, the DSWD will put up inquiry desks at SM Legazpi and SM Naga on February 14-15, 2019, 10:00AM-5:30 PM to respond to queries about adoption and foster care.

Also, a poster contest is scheduled at DSWD Field Office V, Legazpi City on February 19, 2019.

The Adoption Consciousness Week Celebration will culminate on February 21, 2019, 1:00-5:00 PM with a forum about foster care and legal adoption at PNP Regional Office V, Camp Simeon Ola, Legazpi City. Admission is free and snacks will be served to first 50 guests. Interested individuals or parties may contact 09171426963 to confirm attendance or send queries about the said forum.

Moreover, DSWD Field Office V has its own adoption text lines: 09475854675 or 09171426963.

Any interested individuals may seek DSWD’s free services. For those who want to adopt, they can visit DSWD Region V ARRS located at Buraguis, Legazpi City or may call (052) 8201309. However, applicants are advised that they need to spend a considerable amount on legal services and documentary requirements in line with the adoption and foster care process.

Adoption as an alternative parental care program is one of the statutory programs of the DSWD for abandoned and neglected children as guided by Republic Act (R.A.) No. 8552 known as the Domestic Adoption Act of 1998 and R.A. No.9523, also known as an Act Authorizing the Secretary of DSWD to issue a Certification Declaring a Child Legally Available for Adoption (CDCLAA).

Adoption is a socio-legal process of providing a permanent family to a child who is legally available for adoption while foster care refers to the provision of planned temporary substitute parental care to a child by a foster parent.

A Foster Parent/Family is issued a license by the DSWD after a favorable assessment and recommendation. A Foster Placement Authority is also issued by the Department to authorize the placement of a child/children to a licensed foster parent/family.
In 2018, DSWD Field Office V was able to place 11 children for adoption, 25 children for foster care and 13 children were endorsed for inter-country adoption.