The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office VII urges prospective adoptive parents to follow rules on legal adoption.
Furthermore, the Department is informing the public that only those placement of a child to prospective adoptive parent/s approved by the DSWD and by the Courts are considered legal adoption.
Hence, the DSWD is urging the public to enjoin and support the DSWD’s advocacy campaigns against illegal adoption of children by not participating and engaging into different transactions that promotes this illegal practice that endangers the lives of our children, biological parents and adoptive parents as their rights are not protected under Republic Act 8552 or the Domestic Adoption Act of 1998.
Any person/s who will be found guilty of this illegal act will be apprehended and punishable under the law.
“We have a monthly pre-adoption seminar and this serves as a venue in clarifying misconceptions against adopting children,” said Regional Director Ma. Evelyn Macapobre.
“Interested couples should go through the legal process and not through simulation of birth because it is a crime. It is better to follow the legal process of adoption to ensure our children’s welfare,” added Macapobre.
“It gives both the adoptive parents and adoptee equal rights and obligations similar to those enjoyed by biological parents and their children,” Macapobre said.
DSWD services are free but the applicant/s will spend for securing the documents required during the administrative phase of adoption.
Also, the applicant/s or petitioner/s for adoption of a child will spend considerable amount of money in getting the services of a private lawyer whose cost of services varies, which may include an acceptance fee, appearance fee in court, among others during the finalization of adoption in court.
As to the services of a licensed and accredited Child-Placing Agency by DSWD such as NORFIL Foundation Inc., the applicant/s may inquire on the cost of fees and charges from the said agency.
Individuals or couples who wish to adopt a child should contact directly and transact only with the DSWD Field Office VII or other concerned Field Offices of DSWD or licensed and accredited Child-Placing Agency.
For region 7, the public may report to the DSWD Field Office VII, thru its telephone number (032) 231-2172 and email address at arrs.fo7@gmail.com, any case of illegal adoption of children for appropriate legal action. ###
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