SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union (PIA) – The Regional Alternative Child Care Office in the Ilocos Region (RACCO 1) reports on Jan. 3 that a total of 56 children for adoption were successfully placed with adoptive families since 2022, contributing to the promotion of child welfare in the Ilocos Region.
RACCO Officer-in-Charge Hiyasmin Joy Nieva-Rabelas stated that this achievement is the result of the combined efforts of the National Authority for Child Care (NACC) and RACCO 1.
These offices were established under Republic Act (RA) No. 11642, also known as the “Domestic Administrative Adoption and Alternative Child Care Act,” which was signed into law in 2022.
This law streamlined the adoption process by shifting administrative functions from the judiciary to the NACC and its regional counterparts like RACCO 1, expediting adoption proceedings, and making child placement more efficient.
Successful child placements into stable family support systems mean better opportunities in healthcare, education, and emotional development, further contributing to building more resilient communities.
Achievements in adoption and foster care
Since its inception in 2022, RACCO 1 has issued 90 certifications declaring a child legally available for adoption (CDCLAA).
A total of 64 children were also issued with orders of adoption—57 under R.A. 11642 and seven through R.A. 11222, also known as the “Simulated Birth Rectification Act.”
R.A. 11222 addresses birth simulation, where a child’s birth record is falsified to show different parents.
It allows families who acted out of love and concern but bypassed legal adoption to correct the records and formally adopt the child.
For children unable to find immediate domestic placement, 12 cases were endorsed for intercountry adoption, ensuring they could experience the care of a loving family abroad.
In terms of foster care, 102 children were placed with foster families, providing temporary homes while waiting for permanent families.
Out of this number, 41 foster families received subsidies based on thorough assessments to support the children’s needs.
Nieva-Rabelas emphasized that the core of their mission is measured not solely by statistical achievements but by meaningful outcomes.
“We measure our accomplishments not just in numbers alone, but most importantly, in the positive impact and change to the lives of the children who are eventually placed with suitable, secure, and loving families,” Nieva-Rabelas said.
Increasing awareness and advocacy
The RACCO 1 has also been engaging stakeholders to increase engagement and understanding on adoption and foster care, organizing a total of 12 pre-adoption and alternative child care (AACC) fora last year.
These online sessions, attended by aspiring adoptive and foster parents and local government unit (LGU) representatives, focused on topics such as the processes on domestic administrative adoption, alternative child care, and the Simulated Birth Rectification Act.
Eight LGUs have also started their partnership with the RACCO 1 for the implementation of the Philippine Foster Care Program, with two additional LGUs preparing to join, with the broader goal of recruiting at least 10 foster parents per LGU.
Once fulfilled, this will further expand the pool of families ready to provide temporary care to children in need.
Ways forward
Nieva-Rabelas said that although adoption and foster care in Region 1 have been successful so far, it should only be considered when all efforts to preserve the family unit have been thoroughly exhausted and proven unsuccessful.
“As we strongly reiterate, the primary goal is for children to grow under the fold of their loving and capable families, and adoption and alternative child care programs should only come into place when all efforts were tried but still failed,” Nieva-Rabelas remarked.
She also emphasized that the main objective is to ensure that children are raised within the care of their loving and capable families.
The achievements of the NACC and RACCO 1 underscore the commitment to ensuring that every child has the chance to grow up in a stable, loving environment.
Through continued advocacy, partnerships, and public engagement, Region 1 sets an example of how collective efforts can transform lives. (AMB/CCMT, PIA La Union)
