ILOILO CITY (PIA) — Ensuring that no child in the region is left behind, the Regional Alternative Child Care Office (RACCO) 6 highlighted adoption and foster care stories to raise awareness against illegal adoption schemes.
During the “Pasalamat” activity marking the culmination of the 2024 Adoption and Alternative Child Care Week in the region, RACCO 6 Officer-in-Charge Janice J. Brasileño emphasized that their job does not end with the annual week-long celebration.
She also recognized the support of the other national government agencies, local government units through the Local Social Welfare and Development Offices, and other stakeholders in the implementation and promotion of Republic Act No. 11642 or the Domestic Administrative Adoption and Alternative Child Care Act for a more conducive and positive environment for adoption and foster care in the region.
“Without you all dear partners, it would be impossible for us to change the child’s narrative or story from a rough start to an inspiring, beautiful story. Simply because you brave the path that only the chosen few could take,” Brasileño said.
For community workers turned foster parents, lawyer Charles Mangga and Dr. Richelle Verdeprado-Mangga, their foster care journey negates the misconception of creating a real bond between the foster parents and the foster child.
The foster couple shared their story of providing a home for two-year-old Angel Dawn, focusing on providing love, gentle guidance, and reassurance. Witnessing the milestones of their foster child has also been a rewarding and fulfilling moment for the couple.
Despite being not prepared to be separated from Angel Dawn, Atty. Charles and Dr. Richelle chose to focus on the memories they had with her and the development they have brought to her life.
“It is entirely possible to create a lifelong bond with a foster child if you treat them with the same love and care you give your own children. Never let the thought of providing temporary care hinder you from loving and creating memories with the child,” the Mangga couple shared.
Foster care, as defined by RA 11642, is the provision of planned temporary substitute parental care to a child by a foster parent. Adoption, on the other hand, refers to the socio-legal process of providing a permanent family to a child whose parents had voluntarily or involuntarily given up their parental rights, permanently transferring them, along with filiation, making the child a legitimate child of the adoptive parents.
Meanwhile, adoptive parents Rommel Erwin and Kareen Ganancial, shared insight with aspiring adoption parents focusing on patience and dedication to building a family and a better home for a child who deserves them.
“To families considering adoption, our advice is to be patient. Understand that there may be delays, setbacks, and uncertainties along the way, but trust that things will work out in the end,” the Ganancial couple stressed.
In his keynote speech during the activity, Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Regional Statistical Services Office 6 Chief Administrative Officer William G. Jaro emphasized the partnership between PSA and NACC through RACCO, especially on the processing of necessary civil registry documents for adoption.
Jaro noted that through civil registration, adopted children may enjoy the rights and privileges of being citizens of the country and avail of different government programs and services, among others.
“In the context of adoption and alternative child care, the birth certificate takes on even greater significance. When a child is adopted, their original birth certificate is typically replaced with a new one that reflects their legal status and identity. The new birth certificate serves as proof of the adoption and grants the child access to various benefits such as education, healthcare, and social benefits,” he explained.
By virtue of RA 11642, the second week of June of every year is designated as Adoption and Alternative Child Care Week.
This 2024, the celebration was anchored on the theme “#Every Child Matters: A New Era in Adoption and Alternative Child Care.”
“We at RACCO 6 are humbled and honored to be part of this amazing growing community here in Western Visayas that believes that every child deserves love and every child matters. After all, there is an ‘ampon’ in all of us,” Brasileño affirmed, expressing gratitude to all “ampon heroes and sheroes” in the region. (AAL/FRG/PIA 6)
