I – NACC-RACCO

1. Ano ang NACC?	The National Authority for Child Care or NACC is a newly-established quasi-judicial agency attached to the Department of Social Welfare and Development or DSWD. All government services pertaining to domestic administrative adoption and alternative child care were streamlined under the NACC with the enactment of R.A. 11642 or the Domestic Administrative Adoption and Alternative Child Care for simpler and expeditious process of legal adoption.
2. Anu-ano ang iba’t ibang programa at serbisyo ng NACC?	Kabilang sa mga programa at serbisyo ng NACC ang mga sumusunod: 1. Determination of a child’s eligibility for adoption and declaring a child legally available for adoption; 2. Domestic Administrative Adoption for the following categories: a. Regular adoption b. Relative Adoption c. Adult adoption d. Step-parent adoption 3. Foster Care 4. Adoptions under Republic Act 11222 5. Intercountry adoption All the above programs and services are extended by NACC and its Regional Alternative Child Care Offices (RACCOs) nationwide. NACC also implements Republic Act No. 117677 or the Foundling Recognition Act in collaboration with other government agencies such as the Philippine Statistics Authority.
3. Ano naman ang RACCO?	Ang Regional Alternative Child Care Office or RACCOs are the NACC’s regional offices all over the country. Bilang duty-bearers ng alternative care, RACCOs are mandated to receive, review and recommend on:  Petitions for the Issuance of a Certificate Declaring a Child Legally Available for Adoption or CDCLAA; Applications and petitions for Domestic administrative adoption; Determination of a child’s eligibility for Inter-country adoption; Application for Foster care; All other forms of alternative care including family-like care, kinship care, and residential care; and Rectification of simulated birth pursuant to Republic Act No. 11222. The RACCOs also oversee their respective Regional Child Placing Committee or RCPC which is a multi-disciplinary team composed of lawyers, social workers, psychologists, medical doctors, and representatives from the civil society.
4. Isyu pa ba ang pag-aampon sa bansa?	Ang adoption po ay isang usaping panlipunan dahil sa adbokasiyang mapalaki sa isang mapag-mahal na tahanan ang mga batang abandoned, neglected, dependent, surrendered, orphaned, abused, and exploited. Over the years, mas marami sa ating kababayan ang mulat sa adbokasiyang ito, at madami sa kanila ay willing na mag-ampon upang mabigyan ng pagmamahal at aruga ang mga batang nangangailangan nito.
5. Bakit mahalaga ang pag-aampon? Ano ang mga benepisyo para sa bata?	Ang pag-aampon ay isang proseso kung saan binibigyan ng permanenteng magulang at pamilya ang isang bata na boluntaryo o hindi boluntaryong na-icommit ng kanyang biological parents or family na hindi siya kayang bigyan ng aruga at pagmamahal. Effectively, parental authority is bestowed upon the adoptive parents. The adoptee then becomes the legitimate child of the adoptive parents, and thus, enjoys the full benefits and protection of the law as a legitimate child – including rights to succession.
6. Kapag hindi dumaan sa tamang proseso ang pag-aampon, ano ang pwedeng mangyari?	Commonly, ito po yung tinatawag natin na independent placement kung saan binibigay lamang ang bata sa isang indibidwal without government regulation and without going through the process of administrative adoption. Walang legal na proteksyon ang bata for him or her to fully enjoy civil and succession rights. Common po dito ay may magco-contest or may tumututol sa pagiging lehitimong anak ng isang adoptee, lalo na sa usapin ng mana or properties, and benefits from the adopter. The child is also deprived of his or her right to identity because oftentimes, the information of his or her birth and biological family is unknown – if not concealed. Kaya po ini-encourage natin ang lahat na mag-undergo ng legal adoption para itama po ang naging pagka-kamali at upang ma-proteksyunan ang interes ng bata.
7. Ilan ang mga bata sa bansa na nanga-ngailangan ng pamilya. Totoo po bang may “orphan crisis”?	Una, we hope to clarify that the NACC’s jurisdiction is only among children who have been declared legally available for adoption. Hence, our data does not reflect the entirety of the situation of abandoned, neglected, dependent, surrendered, orphaned, abused, and exploited children. From January to September 2024, there are 236 children issued with a Certificate Declaring a Child Legally Available for Adoption or CDCLAA. There were 524 in 2023.   As of September, 269 adoption decrees were issued by NACC. For inter-country adoption, we have cleared 64 children for inter-country adoption and entrusted 57 to foreign adoptive parents.
8. Sa ngayon, kamusta ang sistema ng pag-aampon sa bansa	Kagaya po ng nauna ko nang nabanggit, mas pinadali at mas pinasimple ang proseso at sistema ng pag-aampon sa Pilipinas dahil administrative na lamang ito at hindi na kailangang dumaan sa korte at kumuha ng abogado. Basic fees na lamang po ang babayaran and of course ang documentary requirements.
9. Madami na ba ang nag-aampon?	Mas marami po sa ating kababayan ang bukas ang pag-iisip sa pag-aampon. Slowly, we’re threading towards the normalcy of adoption, as we try to curb the stigma ng ampon o pag-aampon. Ayon naman po sa aming 2024 data, 269 children were issued domestic adoption decrees while there are 88 adoption decrees received from foreign countries for inter-country adoption. We currently have ____ approved Prospective Adoptive Parents and 188 foreign adoptive parents. Marami na rin po ang nag-iinquire or nagsi-signify ng intent to avail of the new administrative adoption services.
10. Ano po kaya ang dahilan ng pag-baba ng bilang ng mga na-aampon?	Ang pag-baba ng bilang ng numero ng pag-aampon ay isang global trend. Ang sabi po ng mga eksperto, ay dahil pinalakas ng Hague Convention on Adoption ang prinsipyo ng subsidiarity kung saan pinagtu-tuunan ng pansin ang domestic adoption. Decades of intercountry adoption point to the fact that as much as possible, children should be adopted in his or her home country. It is only when no suitable Prospective Adoptive Parent is matched with the child at the regional neither at the inter-regional level, will inter-country adoption push through. The principle of subsidiarity is in line with the child’s right to identity, including the preservation of his or her roots, culture, and ethnicity.
11. Ano po ang qualifications para makapag-ampon?	Mayroon lamang po tayong basic qualifications na tinitingnan: at least 25 years old or at least 16 years older than the child; with full civil capacity and legal rights; has not been convicted of any crime of moral turpitude; and of good moral character and can be a model of the same in position to care and support adoptive children in keeping with the means of family.
12. Tinitingnan niyo po ba ang financial capacity?	Ang kailangan at mas importante pong ma-determine is the Prospective Adoptive Parent’s capacity to provide or enable a nurturing environment for the child’s holistic development. Developmental growth includes physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual development.
13. Mayroon po bang age requirement?	For domestic or regular adoption, at least 25 years old and at least 16 years ang interval ng PAP at ng adoptee. Kapag po naman sa inter-country, may requirement na at least 27 years old ang foreign PAP at the time of the application and is at least 16 years of senior to the child.
14. Ano ang mga requirements para makapag-apply bilang Prospective Adoptive Parent or PAP?	For the documentary requirements, ang listahan po ay mata-tagpuan sa NACC Web-Site. Kabilang po riyan ay ang: Undertaking and application form; PSA copies of birth record; PSA copies of Marriage Certificate or Certificate of No Marriage Record (CENOMAR), or authenticated divorce papers including court decision and Certificate of Finality by the Consulate if foreign applicant, Decree of Nullity of Marriage or Decree of Legal Separation, PSA Copy of Certificate of Marriage with annotation of the annulment, declaration of nullity of marriage/ legal separation for Filipino applicant; written consent from appropriate persons; medical certification; physiological evaluation report; NBI, Police, court clearances one year before filing of application; latest Income Tax Return or any document showing financial capacity; letters attesting to applicant’s character and general reputation from three (3) non-related character references; photos of applicant/s, immediate family, home within the last six (6) months of application; adoption decree (if with previous adopted child); and applicant/s is required to attend training on adoption and secure a Certificate of Completion by NACC or its authorized representative.
15. Pareho lang po ba ang requirements para sa mga foreign PAPs?	Almost the same set of requirements, may hihingin lamang pong karagdagang dokumento kagaya ng proof of habitual residence in the Philippines for at least three (3) years. We only allow applications of foreign PAPs from countries with diplomatic relations with the Philippines and will acknowledge the Order of Adoption, will acknowledge the adoptee as a legal child, will allow entry of the child and with domestic and foreign adoption law and rules in place.
16. Requirement po ba ang marital status?	Ang adoption po ng mga singles ay pwede. Ang classification po usually is either individually or jointly. Spouse may adopt jointly, except when the child is a legitimate child of a spouse, which falls under Stepparent Adoption. In this case, the spouse has to execute a consent. Kapag hiwalay naman po ang mag-asawa, hindi sila pwedeng mag-adopt jointly.
17. Do you allow LGBTQA+ couples to adopt?	Para po sa same sex couple na nais mag-adopt, hindi pa po legal at kinikilala sa Pilipinas ang kanilang marriage. They may opt to adopt as individual lang – subject to same requirements and procedures.
18. Is religion a consideration in approving PAPs applications?	Klaro po sa ating Saligang Batas ang pagsulong at pag-protekta ng Right to Freedom of religion or belief. At bilang state-signatory ng Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) at ng International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the NACC does not discriminate against religious beliefs or practices. Para naman po sa pag-aampon, the primary consideration is the preservation of the child’s right to his or her identity including religion and belief. In deciding upon a child’s adoption, due regard is accorded to ensure continuity of a child’s upbringing, and to his or her ethnic, religious, cultural and linguistic background. Iyan po ay nasa-saad sa 1989 United Nations Convention on the Rights of a Child. At the end of the day, ang sitwasyon at panga-ngailangan po ng bata ang magiging basehan, at hindi ang sa magulang, in deciding on the most suitable alternative child care, and in matching the child with the most suitable Prospective Adoptive Parents.

II – ADOPTION

19. Gaano ba kahirap ang proseso ng pag-aampon?	Basta po kumpleto sa requirements, hindi po mahirap o matagal ang proseso ng pag-aampon. Lalo na, at na-streamline na ang lahat ng programa at serbisyo on administrative adoption and alternative child care under the National Authority for Child Care or the NACC with the enactment of R.A. 11642 or the Domestic Administrative Adoption and Alternative Child Care. If a Petition is complete in substance and in form, kaya po from six (6) to nine (9) months na maproseso at ma-aprobahan ito.
20. What are the different types of adoption?	I wish to emphasize that the biological family is the foremost and natural carer of a child unless driven by extreme circumstances. We provide alternative child care kapag mapatunayang walang capable from among the child’s family or relatives. There are four categories of adoption: 1. Relative adoption covers the adoption of a child within the fourth degree of affinity and consanguinity including one’s own non-marital child; 2. Step-parent adoption is the adoption of a child of one spouse by the other spouse or the stepparent; 3. Adult adoption is the adoption of an adult. An adult is defined as a Filipino of legal age, who prior to the adoption, has been consistently considered and treated by the adopters as their own child prior to the filing of the petition; and 4. Regular cases or Adoption of a Legally Available Child pertains to the case of a non-relative child who has been issued with a Certificate Declaring A Child Legally Available for Adoption or CDCLAA. Foster Adoption also covers the case of a non-relative foster child who will be adopted by his or her foster parent.
21. Ano ang Relative Adoption?	Relative adoption covers the adoption of a child within the fourth degree of affinity and consanguinity including one’s own non-marital child. Maari po itong biological parent kapag ang bata ay pinanganak outside the validity of marriage, tito, tita, kapatid, lolo, lola, or even pinsan.
22. Mas mabilis po ba ang Relative Adoption kaysa sa Regular Adoption?	Ang pinag-kaiba lang is that the child will no longer be subjected to the process of declaring him or her legally available for adoption and that it will no longer undergo the matching process.
23. Paano mag-ampon, ano ang proseso?	Ang proseso po ay mas pinadali, at hindi na mahal. Hindi na rin po kailangang dumaan pa sa judicial courts. In total, if a petition is sufficient in form and in substance, kaya pong matapos ito from six (6) to nine (9) months mula sa filing ng kompletong documentary requirements sa ating mga Regional Alternative Child Care Offices or RACCOs up to the issuance of the Order of Adoption. A child identified for adoption will undergo the process of the declaration of a child legally available for adoption except in cases of Relative Adoption, Step-Parent Adoption, or Adult Adoption. Prospective Adoptive Parents or PAPs will have to attend the Mandatory Adoption Forum at the RACCO, apply as PAPs, undergo the matching process and be matched with a child, accept the Placement Proposal, be entrusted with the matched child, and comply with the Supervised Trial Custody before they can file the Petition for Adoption with the NACC through our RACCOs. For Regular Adoption, I wish to emphasize that adoptive parents cannot choose a child. There will be a matching process conducted by a multi-disciplinary team of experts to determine their suitability to the needs of the child. Ang listahan po ng requirements at procedures, base sa category ng adoption, mapa-Regular Adoption, Relative Adoption, Step-Parent Adoption o Adult Adoption, Foster Adoption o adoption under Simulated Birth Rectification Act, ito ay makikita sa ating website sa nacc.gov.ph.
24. Magkano ang gagastusin ng isang PAP or gustong mag-ampon?	Sa ngayon po ay wala nang kailangang bayaran sa NACC para sa pag-proseso ng pag-aampon pero may mga requirements po na kailangan nilang gastusan gaya ng psychological evaluation at kung kukuha sila ng serbisyo ng Child Placing Agency, mayroon silang standard service fees. We have recently issued Memorandum Circular No. 02, Series of 2023, which provides for standard and ceiling rates of cost recovery fees for the services and requirements done by our accredited Child Caring Agencies and Child Placing Agencies which are private-run. In total, that’s at least Php46,350 po and a maximum of Php50,000.00.
25. Parehas lang po ba ang gastusin sa domestic kumpara sa inter-country adoption?	Kapag inter-country adoption, ang adoption application fee po ay 200 US Dollars. Mayroon din pong processing fee of 2,000 US Dollars for single placement, while 3,000 US Dollars naman po kapag sibling groups. Ang malaking bahagi po ng gastusin, ay ang Pre-travel Expenses which is the cost of the passport, visa, medical examination, psychological evaluation, travel expenses of the child and social worker/caregiver-escort within the Philippines including round trip airfare or bus fare, board and lodging.
26. Mayroon daw pong karagdagan gastusin in the form of a donation?	Ang Child Care Support Fund for the Child Caring Agencies in the amount of 1,000 US Dollars is donated by the adoptive parents to the adoptive child’s orphanage. This is in the form of an international money order or international bank draft payable to the orphanage. As it is a donation, it is voluntary and should not be a requirement. Amidst concerns at the international community – on whether or not this is allowed under the Hague Convention, the NACC is currently reviewing this practice and shall issue the appropriate regulatory measures, if needed.
27. Paano magbayad?	For domestic administrative adoption, wala pong dapat bayaran na processing fees sa ating mga RACCOs. Para naman po sa inter-country adoption, personal checks, travelers check or cash are not accepted. All payments or remittances of fees and other charges shall be in US Dollars and in the form of company check or international money order or international bank draft made payable to the NACC.
28. Maari po bang mamili ng bata?	Ito po ang common misconception na nais nating i-address para sa mga interesadong prospective adoptive parents. Ayon sa batas, hindi po tayo pwedeng mamili ng batang aampunin, dahil may matching process po tayo na naka-base sa kakayanan ng Prospective Adoptive Parents na tugunan ang specific needs at requirements ng batang ima-match sa kanya. Ang ating panel of experts po na tinatawag nating Child Placement Committee ay kinabibilangan ng lawyers, pediatricians, psychologists, social workers at NGO representatives from child welfare service-oriented civil society organizations. But, under the Special Home Finding Program, PAPs are asked to signify their preferences for the CPC and RPCs to determine their willingness and capacity to provide for the needs of a child including medical or psychological condition, with traumatic background, sibling groups, and those who are ageing out. From their signified list of preferences, our matching committee is able to assess their capacity to provide care for the child with special needs.
29. Maari po bang bawiin o ipakansela ng PAPs ang Order of Adoption?	Hindi niya po ito maaring gawin. It is only the adoptee who can file for a Petition for Rescission before the NACC based on qualified grounds such as repeated physical abuse or verbal maltreatment, attempt on the life of the adoptee, or abandonment and failure to comply with parental obligations. The adoptive parent can only disinherit the child on grounds provided for by the Civil Code.
30. Pwede po ba ng mag-habol ang biological parent kapag naman nadeklarang legally available for adoption ang kanyang anak o kapag mayroon ng adoption decree ang bata?	When a child has been declared legally available for adoption, the rights of his/her biological parent/s or guardians or other custodian to exercise parental authority over him or her is severed. The biological parent/s guardian may petition for the restoration of their parental rights and authority over the child within three (3) months after the surrender and execution of the Deed of Voluntary Commitment (DVC), provided, that the child has not left the country with the PAPs. Kapag naman po, mayroon ng adoption decree ang bata, the biological parent’s parental authority is only restored after an NACC decision has been rendered favorable to the adoptee’s Petition for Rescission. Again, the NACC will decide in pursuit of the child’s best interest.
31. Paano namo-monitor ng NACC ang mga ina-ampon na bata?	The NACC monitor’s the child’s placement for at least six (6) months to one (1) year or until the adoption is finalized.

III – PHILIPPINE FOSTER CARE PROGRAM

32. Definition of Foster Care	Ang foster care ay programa ng pamahalaan na nagbibigay ng temporary care in a home setting sa isang bata, as provided for under the “Foster Care Act of 2012,” as amended by RA. 11642 or the Domestic Administrative Adoption and Alternative Child Care Act. As of September 2024, mayroong 1,090 na bata ang nasa pangangalaga ng 905 licensed foster care parents. 823 po sa mga batang ito ay subsidized by the NACC in the amount of  P8,000.00 para sa mga batang walang special needs at P10,000 naman po na monthly subsidy para sa mga batang may special needs.
33. Ano ang Philippine Foster Care Program?	Through the Philippine Foster Care program, we work closely with various LGUs to develop more foster parents that can provide love, care and guidance sa ating mga bata na for reunification sa kanilang biological parents, o for adoption or ageing out na at hindi na natin napapa ampon at inihahanda na natin for independent living.
34. Ano ang pinag-kaiba ng foster care sa adoption?	Ang adoption po ay permanent placement of a child to a family, and legally binding ang parental authority and responsibilities na ibini-bigay sa adoptive parents. Foster parents are trained and accredited for this kind of alternative child care. Ang foster care po is planned, temporary, substitute parental care for at least six (6) months to one (1) year which is renewable. If the child has been under the care of the foster parent for at least seven (7) years, the foster parent may apply for a Long-Term Foster Placement Authority (LTFPA), if the child’s return to his or her biological family is not imminent, if the foster parent continuous to possess the qualifications within the entire duration of the foster placement, and if a child aged 10 years or over consents to the LTFPA. Our RACCOS and partner barangays will continue to monitor such foster placement.
35. Ilan ang children under foster care?	As of September 2024, there are 1,090 children placed under foster care. 823 po sa kanila ay subsidized ranging from Php8,000 to Php10,000 per month – depending on their medical condition.
36. Ilan naman po ang foster parents sa bansa?	Katulong ang iba’t ibang LGUs, mayroon pong 905 developed and licensed foster care parents.
37. Anu-ano ang benepisyo ng pagiging foster parent at foster child?	Benefits include the foster child subsidy ranging from P8,000 to P10,000 monthly. At dahil required po ang foster parents to enroll in Phil-Health, the foster child becomes the foster parent’s beneficiary for PhilHealth coverage. Para naman po sa mga foster parents, support care services are provided for by the NACC in partnership with the Local Social Welfare Development Office, and the barangays. Mayroon pong counselling, visits, training on child care and development, respite care, skills training, and livelihood assistance.
38. Pwede po bang from foster, ay tumuloy sa pag-aampon?	Ang foster parent ay maaring mag-apply bilang prospective adoptive parent ng kanyang foster child upang bigyan siya ng permanenteng pamilya. Ngunit, ito ay nire-rekomenda lamang kung ito ay under extreme condition o may strong justification for the child’s best interest. In the end, we want to ensure that the adoption will redound in the best interest of the foster child.
39. Paano mino-monitor ng NACC at RACCOs ang mga foster families?	Our RACCO social workers conduct regular home visits to monitor the child’s adjustment in the foster home and shall submit progress reports. In cases of untoward incidents such as accidents, injury, death, when a child runs away or gets lost, this should be immediately reported to the RACCO for appropriate action and in coordination with proper authority.

IV – SIMULATED BIRTH RECTIFICATION ACT

40. Ano po ang Simulated Birth Rectification Act?	Ito po ay napa-paloob sa R.A. 11222, na naisa-batas noong February 21, 2019. Layon ng batas na ito na mabigyan ng pagka-kataong ma-legalize ang status ng mga indibidwal through administrative adoption na may mga maling impormasyon ng kapa-nganakan sa kanilang certificate of live birth. Sila ang mga indibidwal na ipina-nganak hanggang 2019. They may also file only until 2029.
41. Mawawalang-sala po ba ang mga nagsimulate ng birth certificates?	Ayon po sa RA 11222, the amnesty of an individual who simulated a birth certificate, is only one of the “benefits” of legalizing the placement of the child through administrative adoption.
42. Are foreign nationals allowed to adopt under RA 11222?	Yes, but only those who are married to Filipino citizens who simulated the birth of a child, provided, they are qualified in terms of personal qualifications. Also, they must have  consistently treated and considered the child as his/her own, have resided in the Philippines for three (3) continuous years prior to the filing of petition until the issuance of the Order of Adoption, has legal capacity to adopt and that his/her country will allow the child to enter as his/her adopted child.

V- SPECIAL HOME FINDING

43. What is the Special Home Finding Program?	The Special Home-Finding Program is a milestone program under inter-country adoption whereby we try to find suitable families for children with special needs who have been cleared for inter-country adoption. Ang ibig sabihin po noon, walang makitang capable adoptive parents dito sa Pilipinas na kayang tumugon sa kanilang panga-ngailangan. Kaya naman, we are trying to find the most suitable family for them from other countries which recognize and honors our adoption laws and standards.
44. Who are the Children with Special Needs?	Children with special needs under the Special Home-Finding Program includes children aged six (6 years old) and over, with medical condition, developmental delay, with history of traumatic experience, and those belonging to a sibling group.
45. How many children are currently covered by the Special Home Finding Program?	As of September 2024, mayroon pong 301 na bata ang nasa roster ng aming Special Home Finding Program. Hinahanapan po natin sila ng magulang sa ibang bans ana kaya silang alagaan at tugunan ang kanilang mga pangangailangan.

V – POST LEGAL ADOPTION SERVICES

46. Paano po namo-monitor that the adoption has been successful or not?	Under our Legal Adoption Unit is the After-Care Monitoring and Submission of Report. Mayroon pong ginagawang Closing Summary Report after one (1) year that the adoption decree has been finalized and that the amended birth certificate has been accomplished. We need to determine whether or not the adoption has redounded in the best interest of the child.
47. Requirement daw po ang adoption telling?	Opo. Isa po ito sa salient features ng RA 11642 or the Domestic Administrative Adoption and Alternative Child Care Act. Experts say that it is in the best interest of the child to inform him or her of the adoption process which took place before a child reached the age of 13. And that disclosure is a duty of the adoptive parents. However, NACC and RACCOs always ensure that both the parent and the child are emotionally and psychologically prepared for this process. Adoption telling is thoroughly discussed with the parents during the adoption forum. After placement, we are also prepared to provide counseling and guidance on how to go about adoption telling.
48. After the adoption decree has been finalized, is search for biological family or reunification allowed?	Of course, po. Reunification or search for biological family forms part of a child’s right to identity. Upon his or her request, NACC and RACCO facilitates the search for biological family and possible reunification, as requested din po ng adoptee.

VI – FOUNDLING RECOGNITION AND PROTECTION
(RA 11767)

49. Bakit humahantong ang ilan sa pag-aabandona ng mga sanggol?	First, the National Authority for Child Care or NACC is not the appropriate authority to assess the causes of child abandonment. However, in general terms, as extreme as abandoning a child, we could only assume that the mother or biological parent was not appropriately guided by towards making an up-right decision of ensuring the child’s safety and human rights.
50. Ano ang karaniwang dahilan or pinag-huhugutan nila?	Clearly, the person was emotionally and psychologically in distress. Whatever the circumstances were, he or she was overwhelmed and was unable to do the right thing. It would be better if experts can elaborate on this topic.
51. Role ng ahensya nila sa ganitong cases?	Ang National Authority for Child Care or NACC is a newly-established quasi-judicial agency attached to the Department of Social Welfare and Development or DSWD. All government services pertaining to domestic administrative adoption and alternative child care were streamlined under the NACC with the enactment of R.A. 11642 or the Domestic Administrative Adoption and Alternative Child Care for simpler and expeditious process of legal adoption. Bilang central authority ng domestic administrative adoption, intercountry adoption and alternative child care, gaya ng programa sa foster care at kinship care, we are also mandated to implement the Simulated Birth Rectification Act or R.A. 11222 and the Foundling Recognition and Protection Act or R.A. 11767 in relation to domestic administrative adoption. Enacted in 2022, R.A. 11767 or the Foundling Recognition and Protection Act ensures that a foundling discovered within the Philippine territory is a natural-born Filipino citizen, and thus, accorded with the full protection and benefits of the laws as any other Filipino citizen do. At dahil po ang foundling ay isang iniwan o inabandonang bata o sanggol na walang impormasyon patungkol sa kanyang kapanakan o mga magulang, we are mandated to conduct an exhaustive search and inquiry to locate the birth parents or any other kin, and find any other information pertaining to the foundling’s birth – in collaboration with local authorities. Ang mga pangunahin pong ahensya dito ay ang ating Regional Alternative Child Care Office, kasama ang Local Social Welfare Development Offices, barangays, the LGUs, PNP, at DOJ, safe havens, and the media. If all efforts prove futile, the child will be registered at the Local Civil Registry as a foundling. We are also mandated to provide the most suitable alternative child care to the foundling – be it temporary through foster care, or permanent through administrative adoption, or any other mode of alternative child care such as kinship care, or residential care.
52. Datos kung ilan ang child abondonment cases sa Pilipinas.	Ang proper authority to have this data is the PSA and the DILG. Under the mandate of the NACC, is the number of children issued with a Certificate Declaring a Child Legally Available for Adoption. In 2023, there were 524 children. Ninety-eight (98) po sa kanila ay mga foundlings. Eighty-six (86) of them were placed under foster care.
53. Ano ang after care na ginagawa? Sila rin ba ang in charge sa adoption?	RA 11767 or the Foundling Recognition and Protection Law mandates an inter-agency collaboration between the local authorities, DSWD, DILG, PNP, DPJ, PSA, NACC, Child Caring Agencies, and the media. Ang mga Karapatan ng mga foundlings o inabandonang bata o sanggol requires government programs and services most specially medical and healthcare. Kapag nailagak sa isang facility ang isang foundling such as Child Caring Agencies, Child Placement Agencies, Residential Care Facilities, Reception and Study Center for Children, or any other agency, sila po ay mandated to provide proper care for the child.  Kapag ang bata naman po ay identified for adopton, sila rin ang nagiging petitioners sa mga Petitions for the Issuance of a Certificate Declaring A Child Legally Available for Adoption which we evaluate and act upon.
54. Ano rin ang intervention ng ahensya sa ganitong cases?	After the registration of the child as foundling before the Local Civil Registry, RACCOs and NACC evaluate and decide on Petitions for the Issuance of a Certificate Declaring a Child Legally Available for Adoption. Kapag may CDCLAA na po ang bata, hina-hanapan namin siya ng most suitable and responsive Prospective Adoptive Parent to his or her needs, through the matching process. First at the regional level, then the inter-regional level, and if wala pa rin po, the child is cleared for inter-country adoption. Ang ating panel of experts po na tinatawag nating Child Placement Committee ay kina-bibilangan ng lawyers, pediatricians, psychologists, social workers at NGO representatives from child welfare service-oriented civil society organizations.
55. Ano ang pwedeng mangyari sa bata? May chance ba na masurrender ito sa parents mismo o kailangan ipa-adopt talaga	Ang biological parent, NACC through RACCO, LSWDO or the safe haven provider may at any time file a petition for the revocation of the Certificate of Live Birth kapag na-establish at naidentify ang biological parent, o mapatunayang nagkaroon ng fraud sa pag-identify sa bata bilang foundling. Kapag pending naman po ang pag-proseso sa mga petisyon kagaya ng Petition for issuance of Certificate Declaring a Child Legally Available for Adoption (CDCLAA); Supervised Trial Custody; or Petition for Adoption, pwedeng magpetisyon ang biological parent/s or legal guardian to recover the legal custody and restore parental authority over the foundling child. Mahalagang ma-establish ang parenting capability through the Parenting Capability Assessment Report duly signed by the LSWDO. Other requirements include a Notarized petition for recovering legal custody and restoring parental authority; and/or (d) Court Decision of Legal. Guardianship. Importante rin na mabigyan ng counselling ang mga magulang o pamilya ng bata para matulungan sila to arrive at proper decisions in the best interest of the child and for them to be able to plan on how to raise the child positively.
56. Mensahe sa Publiko	Mahalagang pag-tulungan po nating lahat ang issue ng mga foundlings dahil buhay at karapatang pantao po nila ang naka-salalay. Nobody deserves to be abandoned, lalo na ang isang batang walang muwang. This would require a whole of government approach dahil bawat buhay ay mahalaga (every child matters). Para naman po sa mga kababayan nating gustong mag-ampon, mangyari po lamang na dumulog kayo sa ating mga RACCOs. Ang amin pong mga hotlines: +63 917 322 6222 or 0917 322 NACC E-Mail Address: adoption@nacc.gov.ph Website: www.nacc.gov.ph We are also on Facebook, follow National Authority for Child Care and @official_nacc on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and Tiktok Lastly, as mandated under R.A. 11642 or the Domestic Administrative Adoption and Alternative Child Care Act, sama-sama po nating tanggalin ang stigma ng ampon at pag-aampon. This year, the NACC launched our AMPON campaign. Lahat po tayo ay nabibilang sa AMPON – Anak, Magulang, Pamilya, Ordinaryo pero Natatangi. PROUD AMPON!

VII – ONLINE BABY SELLING

57. Talamak ba ang bentahan ng bata online? Kumusta na ang pagbabatay ng NACC sa mga ganitong pages? May nahuli at nakasuhan sa ganitong kalakaran?	Hindi naman po sa talamak but it appears that nagagamit ang convenience ng social media na parang online selling lang ng gamit o pagkain, pero bata po ang binebenta.   Since we took office in August 2022, there have been reports on how these Facebook pages operate. There were about fifty-two (52) FaceBook Pages facilitating baby trade. Around five (5) of them still operates up to this day and have been having the convenience of easily changing account names. We continue to monitor them. Kausap napo ng NACC ang PNP WCPC, PNP Anti-Cyberccrime Group, NBI AHTRAD, DICT CICC, IACAT at DOJ para matigil na ang ganitong krimen. Madali pong makapag-palit ng names, at marami din pong scammers na nagpa-panggap lang para makahingi ng pera as advance payment. Mahirap pong ma-track cos they operate under aliases and fake accounts but we have already coordinated this with other concerned agencies (NBI, PNP, Meta PH). REST ASSURED THAT WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING IN OUR POWERS AND AUTHORITY TO STOP ONLINE BABY TRADE.
58. Ano po ang mga detalye ng recent covert operations	a. PNP WCPC; 15 May 2024 Immaculate Conception Church, Dasmariñas City, Cavite 8-DAY OLD INFANT (BOY RESCUED)   b. PNP WCPC; 01 June 2024 San Roque, Catarman, Northern Samar 2-YEAR OLD GIRL AND 1-MONTH OLD BABY BOY RESCUED   c. NBI AHTRAD; 16 July 2024 Muntinlupa City 6-DAY OLD  BABY BOY RESCUED   d. PNP Anit-Cybercrime Group; 23 September 2024 30-year old woman apprehended for selling a child
58. Ano ang nila-labag na batas ng online baby selling?	Online baby selling” is a triple whammy of Trafficking-In-Person (R.A. 11862), child exploitation (R.A. 7610), and illegal adoption (R.A. 11642). Non-bailable po ang Qualified Trafficking kahit pa ina ang may gawa ng bentahan.
59. Mabagal daw po ang proseso ng adoption kaya marami ang napipilitang tumangkilik ng online baby selling?	We are fully aware of these sentiments. This was the reason for the streamlining of alternative child care programs. The NACC was then established under Republic Act No. 11642 or the Domestic Administrative Adoption and Alternative Child Care Act in June last year. It seeks to streamline various Government programs on alternative child care and enable a much easier legal adoption process na dati ay korte ang nagde-desisyon. Sa ilalim po ng NACC ay ang dati’y kalat-kalat na iba’t ibang programa gaya ng inter-country adoption, domestic adoption and foster care program na dati ay nasa DSWD at nasa mga korte. Ang pending court cases on legal adoption na tumatagal ng ilang taon, ngayon ay nasa jurisdiction na ng NACC. With this, we expect an easier and inexpensive administrative adoption process. Kaya nakikiusap po ako sa mga magulang na nais mag-adopt, h’wag tangkilikin ang online baby selling. Ang NACC po at regional offices nito ay handang tumulong sa inyo in your adoption journey.