Families urged to adopt children

MANILA, Philippines - Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman on Friday urged Filipino families to legally adopt children to provide stable homes for the growing number of orphaned, abandoned and neglected children in the country.

Soliman said legal adoption gives the child the same rights and duties as that of a biological child of the adoptive parents, including the right to use the surname of the adoptive parents.

“The DSWD is advocating legal adoption to provide stable homes to the growing number of children who are orphaned, abandoned or neglected and who are in need of families who will love, care and protect them,” Soliman said in a statement.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said there are 216 abandoned children housed at its Reception and Study Center for Children needing parental care.

Based on DSWD data, there were 6,558 children placed for domestic adoption from 2000 to 2011.

Soliman said there are a number of parents who are interested in adopting a child but they put it off thinking that the adoption process is tedious and expensive.

“The process of legal adoption is not tedious and not expensive,” Soliman said. “There are fees to be paid in the process of legalization of adoption, such as lawyer’s fees, filing fees, publication fees which may cost P30,000 up. You have to consult your lawyer on the services and other arrangements included in the fees. It takes about one to two years from the date of application to finalization of adoption.”

She said the two years include six months trial custody of the child.

Soliman said prospective adoptive families may inquire about adoption process and procedures at the Adoption Resource and Referral Unit of DSWD-National Capital Region office in Manila or the nearest DSWD field office.

Likewise, the Kaisahang Buhay Foundation located on 10th Avenue in Cubao, Quezon City and NORFIL Foundation Inc. located on Mother Ignacia corner Roces avenues, Quezon City, are accredited child placement agencies and can assist families who are interested in adopting a child.

The DSWD celebrates the Adoption Consciousness Week from Feb. 4 to 10 with the theme “Isulong! Legal na Pag-aampon.”

It aims to enhance public awareness on adoption processes and procedures and on the growing number of orphaned, abandoned or neglected Filipino children in need of love and permanent families.

The DSWD will also set up adoption help desks in SM and Ayala malls tomorrow where prospective adoptive parents can seek advice on adoption procedures.