Abandoned baby will be sent to adoption

CEBU, Philippines - A baby boy who was found inside the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral Tuesday evening will be sent to adoption six months from now if his parents’ whereabouts will not be traced.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development said they are now tracing the boy’s parents or immediate family members to ask them the reason behind abandoning the baby.

“We will be declaring the baby ready for adoption after six months but before that, DSWD will exert effort in tracking his parents. But kung bisan unsaon nato wala gyud, that’s the time,” said DWSD assistant regional director Shalaine Marie Lucero.

Granting that someone would claim the baby, Lucero said they will ask for the necessary documents such as the birth certificate of the person or valid identification card as proof.

A validation will also be made through the barangay officials and neighbors.

“For the safety of the baby, persons who claim as parents will undergo series of interviews and we will check the reason behind basin dunay family problem or lack of capacity sa pagbuhi sa bata,” Lucero explained.

In the adoption process, the interested couple will be required to attend an adoption forum to determine how motivated they are in adopting the baby.

If the couple pursues, a social worker will then conduct a home visit and documentation.

“They can tell their preference of what kind of baby they want to adopt but they cannot choose what the DSWD will give them kay magbase man ‘na sa matching conference nga himuon, kay dili malikayan nga dunay bata nga nagkinahanglan og special needs,” explained Lucero said, adding that they are always after the child’s best interest.

The baby boy, who was believed to be four days old, was found beside the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. He was wrapped in a red jacket with his umbilical cord still attached.

A security guard who found the baby turned him over to Santo Niño barangay captain Pancho Ramirez, who, together with fellow barangay officials, decided to turn over the baby to the DSWD. — Ria Mae Y. Booc/NSA (FREEMAN)