Marking its third anniversary on Monday, Jan. 20, the National Authority for Child Care (NACC) celebrated the adoption of 968 Filipino children since its establishment and vowed to continue its mission of providing loving homes for children.

Since its establishment in 2022 through Republic Act (RA) 11642 or the Domestic Administrative Adoption and Alternative Child Care Act, the NACC has facilitated the adoption of 968 children—629 through domestic administrative adoption and 154 through inter-country adoption. Also, 1,069 children were declared legally available for adoption between 2023 and 2024.

“As we celebrate the NACC’s third anniversary, it is my hope and prayer that we renew our commitment to our shared mission of placing every child and individual in need of adoption and alternative care with suitable, secure, nurturing, and their forever families,” said NACC Undersecretary Janella Ejercito Estrada.

Estrada said NACC’s establishment streamlined the government’s programs for declaring children legally available for adoption, domestic adoption, inter-country adoption, and alternative child care such as foster care, kinship care, and residential care.

Under its Foster Care Program, 1,108 children are currently under the care of 927 licensed foster parents, with 871 of these children receiving monthly subsidies ranging from Php8,000 to Php10,000, depending on their medical needs. Among these, 43 are survivors of online sexual abuse and exploitation, 154 are children with special needs, and 75 are foundlings.

“True to our mantra that every child matters, let this be our reminder to reach every child and every family, wherever they are, as hard as it can be, or as impossible it may seem. No child should be left behind,” Estrada emphasized.

The NACC said it has also built its institutional capacity, establishing 16 Regional Alternative Child Care Offices (RACCOs) to better serve families across the country. It has partnered with 503 local government units (LGUs), 130 local chief executives, and nearly 1,000 child welfare professionals through its “LeaGUe of Heroes Campaign.”

The agency said this initiative, launched during the First National Congress on Administrative Adoption and Alternative Child Care, resulted in 89 LGUs signing agreements to implement administrative adoption and foster care programs.

“We take pride in the linkages and partnerships we were able to forge… with the dedication and hard work of our 636 child welfare and public administration experts at the NACC – all committed to the fulfillment of our mandate,” she said.