DSWD-7 seeks help of LGUs in looking for foster parents

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Region 7 is strongly advocating on having local government units look for more foster parents in their respective barangays here in Cebu.

This as the government is expected to sign within the week the rules and regulations of the Foster Care Act of 2012 or Republic Act 10165.

Emma Patalinghug, social welfare officer IV and child and youth welfare program specialist of DSWD-7, explained that the act is aimed to provide children under their guardianship the immediate care of a family that they need instead of keeping them in institutions.

Patalinghug said that they have been pushing for the approval of this law which supports their aim to provide children who have been turned over to them, the right amount of care from a family that is due to them.

If fully implemented, foster parents and families will be provided tax incentives and other means of support for taking care of children that have been abandoned, neglected and orphaned by their parents, under socio-cultural difficulties, children with special needs, and even those who have been victims of abuse.

But Patalinghug said that the LGUs would have a big responsibility and participation in the successful enactment of the Foster Care act.

She explained that LGUs will be given the responsibility to look for potential foster families who will go through the ample training and counseling needed. This, in effect, would prepare them to be licensed and capable foster care parents or families by the DSWD.

Patalinghug also said that foster care parents who would wish to adopt a foster child would be possible as long as qualifications of the Domestic Adoption Act will be met. This law states that those qualified for domestic adoption are Filipino citizens of legal age, of good moral character, has not been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude, emotionally and psychologically capable of caring for children, at least sixteen (16) years older than the adoptee, and who is in a position to support and care for a child in keeping with the means of the whole family.

There are 29 children under the care of DSWD at present.

Patalinghug said they are glad that a lot of families and parents have been reaching out to them to adopt a child and they hope this would strengthen with the presence of the Foster Care Act.

Aside from skills and livelihood training, NGOs accredited by DSWD that provides foster care to children will be exempted from paying taxes on its income as an organization.

— (FREEMAN)