Field Office IV-B (MIMAROPA)

This includes services that provide alternative parental care to children in especially difficult circumstances whose parents are unable to provide their basic needs, temporarily or permanently because of problems in family relationships, illness, extreme poverty, lack of parenting preparation, and lack of family support.

1. Adoption

WHAT is Adoption program?

It is a socio-legal process of providing a permanent family to a child whose parents have voluntarily or involuntarily relinquished parental authority over the child/

WHAT are the program’s benefits?

It enables a child who cannot be reared by his or her biological parents acquire legal status wherein he/she can benefit from new relationships with a permanent family.

It also establishes a parent-child relationship resulting in the same mutual rights and obligations that exists between children and their biological parents.

WHY is this program needed?

While there are residential facilities available, a child grows best in a family where all his needs are met. Institutional life has had adverse effects for most children especially infants and pre-schoolers over dependency and anti-social behavior, personally disorganization and emotional disorders are often associated with adults who grew up in orphanages or institutions.

WHO is it intended for?

For those children who are voluntarily committed by their biological parents to the state;

For those who are involuntarily committed or declared abandoned, neglected and dependent children by the court; and

For prospective adoptive families

WHO is DSWD working with to implement this program?

Child caring/placing agencies, Local government units (LGUs), Court, Child advocates

WHO can be contacted regarding this program?

Ms. Priscila Contreras, Social Worker in charge of the Adoption Resource and Referral Unit

WHERE is this implemented?

In five provinces of MIMAROPA

HOW does one avail of this program?

Prospective adoptive families may contact our SWAD Teams in the provinces or Ms. Contreras for adoption counseling and orientation on the process and effects of adoption.

WHAT have we accomplished so far?

In 2009, 64 cases of adoption have been processed.