The Department of Social Welfare and Development spearheads the observance of 2017 Adoption and Consciousness Week Celebration from February 11-19, 2017.

As a kick-off activity, a launching program was conducted earlier today at DILG Hall, Legazpi City which was participated by member agencies of Regional Sub-Committee for the Welfare of Children (RSCWC), Civil Society Organizations (CSO’s), adoptive parents and DSWD staff.

According to DSWD Bicol Assistant Regional Director Arwin O. Razo, this years’ theme dubbed “Pagmamahal Palaganapin, Legal na Pag-aampon Ating Gawin! (Spread Unconditional love through legal Adoption) intends to strongly advocate legal adoption of children temporarily cared in residential facilities-those who have been abandoned, neglected and surrendered and even those who have been directly entrusted to married couples by the children’s biological parent/s who are not related to them by blood or those beyond the fourth degree of consanguinity.

Razo urged the public to disseminate information regarding legal adoption and support the departments’ advocacy.

Moreover, several activities have been lined-up for the week’s event which includes Adoption Inquiry Desk at Ayala Mall, Gaisano Mall and SM Naga, Symposium on Adoption at BUCCSP, Social Work Department, Adoption Forum at DILG, DEPED, DOH, DOLE, NHA, DTI, DOST etc. and Forum on Alternative Parental Care in Iriga City.

Media guesting will also form part of the activities to educate and inform the public on legal adoption.

Adoption Consciousness Week is observed annually based on presidential Proclamation 72, dated Feb. 3, 1999. During Adoption Consciousness Week, the DSWD disseminates basic information about adoption, including the processes, requirements and its benefits and effects.

Meanwhile, according to Ms. Marissa Paeste, Social Welfare Officer IV and Adoption Resource and Referral Section head, the DSWD Bicol has issued 31 Certification Declaring the Child Legally Available for Adoption (CDCLAA), of whom 6 children were placed for local adoption and 20 for Inter-Country Adoption while 21 foster families were issued with Foster Family Care License.

Republic Act 9523 issued on March 12, 2009, states that the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is the agency charged to implement the provisions and shall have the sole authority to issue the certification declaring a child legally available for adoption.###