DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian (File photo)
MANILA – Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Gatchalian on Tuesday underscored the need to address emerging concerns on the processes of legal adoption and foster care.
Gatchalian made this call during the ongoing 17th Philippine Global Consultation on Child Welfare Services at the Hilton Hotel, Pasay City carrying a theme: “The Premise and the Promise of Republic Act No. 11642”.
The global forum is primarily focused on RA 11642 or the “Domestic Administrative Adoption and Alternative Child Care Act, which establishes a simpler and inexpensive process of domestic adoption and streamlined alternative child care services that uphold the best interest of children.”
During the consultation, Gatchalian showed his support in strengthening the partnership and coordination between the Philippines and receiving countries involved in adoption and alternative child care.
“We hold this global consultation every two years to discuss issues and address concerns to improve the policies, systems, and procedures on child welfare services. These discussions have paved the way toward better programs and policies for children,” Gatchalian said in his speech.
“The task of supporting adoptive families and foster families must continue to be enhanced, especially in terms of strengthening the capacity of prospective adoptive parents about their new roles and other measures to prevent adoption disruption,” he added.
Gatchalian also asserted the significance of bolstering partnership and coordination among countries to prevent the trafficking of children, especially with the ease of using social media to facilitate such criminal activity.
The global consultation, he said, serves as a venue for central authorities, foreign adoption agencies, embassy partners, child caring and child placement agencies, as well as other allied professionals to discuss concerns and address emerging issues affecting the placement and adoption of Filipino children.
The event, organized by the National Authority for Child Care (NACC) headed by Undersecretary Janella Estrada, started on Oct. 9 and will culminate on Oct. 13.
Present during the consultation were various experts and professionals from foreign and local adoption agencies, legal adoption advocates and specialists, adoptive parents, adopted children and other partners, among others. (PNA)
