ZAMBOANGA CITY (PIA) – The National Authority for Child Care (NACC), through the Regional Alternative Child Care Office (RACCO)-9 encourages Zamboangeños to support legal adoption and foster care to around 37 children in need of alternative child care.
The NACC Undersecretary Janella Ejercito Estrada visited Zamboanga City on October 1 to help promote the advocacy, “legal adoption, foster care and other forms of alternative child care”, which she noted as a moral obligation for the children who have no one else to care for them.
“Despite their circumstance, their inherent right to a loving and nurturing family is preserved. It cannot be taken away from them,” she said.
Since January of 2023, 31 children have been issued with Certification of a Child Legally Available for Adoption (CDCLAA) and currently, there are 37 petitioned for Domestic Administrative Adoption.
As of September 30, 2024, 37 children are under foster care and 23 are receiving monthly subsidies in the amount of Php8,000.
“NACC remains steadfast in providing loving homes for the children of Zamboanga who have been abandoned, neglected, dependent, surrendered, orphaned, abused, and exploited,” Usec. Estrada emphasized.
As part of strengthening their campaign, the NACC participates in this year’s Zamboanga Hermosa Festival Parade of Lights, as they aim to raise awareness and gain support on legal adoption, foster care and other means of alternative child care.
“During this annual feast of the Lady of Pillar in Zamboanga City, we hope to address the plight of children waiting for their forever families,” Usec. Estrada said.
NACC Assistant Secretary for Operations and Services Rowena Macalintal, also emphasized the NACC’s campaign against illegal adoption. “Illegal adoption exposes a child to Trafficking in-Person which is a criminal offense punishable by imprisonment,” she explained.
The NACC is the Philippines’ central authority on adoption and alternative child care, established by virtue of Republic Act No. 11642 or the Domestic Administrative Adoption and Alternative Child Care Act. (EDT/MLE/PIA Region 9-Zamboanga City/with reports from RACCO-9)
