In line with the nationwide Adoption Consciousness Celebration 2017, the Department of Social Welfare and Development Region XI reported on Monday that cases of adoption across the region have increased in the previous year.
Guesting during the Kapehan sa Dabaw media forum at SM City Davao, Social Welfare Officer 3 Sheryll Dumalogdog said 184 cases of adoption was recorded in 2016, 8 cases higher than the 2015 record at 176.
“Among these cases, we have children who were from the orphanages as well as foster homes,” said Dumalogdog.
According to the social welfare officer, there are cases wherein adopted children would inquire in their office about their biological parents.
“Even atong mga bata nato nga na-adopt abroad. They were even escorted by their adopted parents para magtrace sa ilang ginikanan,” said Dumalogdog who added that in 2016, there were 10 cases recorded in which most of them are elementary and high school students.
The social welfare officer also pointed out there were also some who are already professional and some who are married who inquire about their roots.
“For overseas cases, the adopted child, we were informed by the Inter-country Adoption Board. Now this particular family will be coming so we will be advised to contact the biological parents if indeed they can still be located,” she added.
Dumalogdog said the agency briefs the parents on how to answer the inquiries of the adopted child in a way that is less offensive manner just to make the child understand the reason for adoption.
Meanwhile, according to DSWD USec Mae Fe Templa, the agency has not recorded complaints against the adoptive parents coming from the adopted children because the agency assures the parents’ capability to provide the children their physical and emotional needs.
However, Templa said that there are also cases where DSWD would grant the request of the adoptive parents to return the adopted child to the center due to behavioral problems.
The under secretary also stressed that as early as possible, children should be aware that they are adopted.
“Sakit sa part sa bata nga makabalo sa uban kaysa sa ilaha (adoptive parents) mismo (It is distressing for the child to learn from other people they are adopted than to learn it from their own adoptive parents),” explained Templa.
According to DSWD, a person can adopt a child if he or she:
• Is of legal age.
• Is at least 16 years older than adoptee, except when the adopter is the biological parent.
• Has the capacity to act and assume all the rights and duties incident to the exercise of parental authority.
• Is of good moral character and has not been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude.
• Is in a good position to support, educate and care for his/her legitimate and illegitimate children and the child to be adopted.
• Has undergone the pre-adoption services.
• An alien may adopt if he/she has diplomatic relations with the Philippines, has been certified by his/her diplomatic or consular office or any appropriated agency that he/she is qualified to adopt in his country, and that his/her government will allow the adoption.
• An alien has been living in the Philippines for at least three continuous years prior to the filing of the application for adoption and maintains such residence until the adoption decree is entered
Meanwhile someone is qualified for adoption is he or she is:
• Any person below 18 who has been administratively or judicially declared available for adoption.
• Legitimate son/daughter of one spouse by the other spouse.
• An illegitimate son/daughter by a qualified adopter/s to improve his/her status to that of legitimacy.
• A person of legal age if, prior to the adoption, said person has been consistently considered and treated by the adopter/s as his/her own child since minority.
• A child whose adoption has been previously rescinded.
• A child whose biological parent/s has died provided that no proceedings shall be initiated within 6 months from the time of death of the said parent/s.
For the celebration set on February 11 to February 19 DSWD local officials conducted radio and TV guesting and setting of help desk at different SM Malls in Davao City and department agencies such as Department of Health (DOH), Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Education (DepEd), and Department of Interior and Local Government.
The highlights of the celebration are the following: annual adoption forum at DSWD seminar hall on February 16 and the region-wide convention of adoptive families on February 18 at Garden Oasis Hotel Davao City.
