LA TRINIDAD, Benguet (PIA) -- The Regional Alternative for Child Care Office (RACCO) is encouraging adoptive parents who have simulated birth records of their child to rectify such, and avail of the amnesty under Republic Act No. 11222 or Simulated Birth Rectification Act (SIBRA).
 
Simulation of birth record refers to the tampering of the civil registry to make it appear in the record of birth that a child was born to a person who is not the child's mother, causing the loss of the true identity and status of such child.
 
SIBRA allows adoptive parents who have tampered their child's birth record to correct the document and legally adopt the child without fear of prosecution, provided it is in the best interest of the child.

"Meron tayong simulated birth record. Please avail of the amnesty period habang open itong ating amnesty period. This is until 2029. After 2029, they will have liability na,  so please let us spread the good news sa ating mga community para mag-avail ng amnesty period," said RACCO Cordillera Social Welfare Officer III Ruby Lynn Huag.
 
Huag explained that by integrating this simulation with amnesty initiatives, adoptive parents will not be penalized. When they undergo the SIBRA process, they will establish a legal relationship with the child.

"It is for the best interest of a child that they are taking care of these children under the custody na pwede nila itong e-avail para ma-correct 'yung birth record nung bata under their care and ma-process 'yung adoption nila," Huag said.
 
Under SIBRA, the person or persons who simulated the birth of a child may avail of administrative proceedings for the adoption and rectification of the simulated birth record of such child. Once approved, the adoptee shall be considered the legitimate daughter or son of the adopter for all intents and purposes, and   is entitled to all the rights and obligations provided by law to legitimate daughters or sons born to them without discrimination of any kind. Except where a biological parent is the spouse of the adopter, all legal ties between the biological parents and the adoptee shall be severed and the same shall be vested in the adopter.
 
Individuals who will obtain consent for an adoption through coercion, undue influence, fraud, improper material inducement, or other similar acts; noncompliance with the procedures and safeguards provided by law for the adoption; or subjecting or exposing the child to be adopted to danger, abuse, or exploitation will be imprisoned from six years and one day to twelve years and/or will be fined with not less than P200,000 at the discretion of the court. (JDP/DEG -PIA CAR with Jester Batanes, BSU Intern)