The National Authority for Child Care (NACC), an attached agency of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), is urging people who previously simulated the birth records of children under their care to avail themselves of the government’s rectification and amnesty program before it expires in 2029.

Speaking at the DSWD media forum on Thursday, Feb. 12, NACC Assistant Secretary for Operations and Services Rowena Macalintal reminded the public that simulating a child’s birth record is a criminal offense.

She explained that Republic Act No. 11222, or the Simulated Birth Rectification Act of 2019, allows those who simulated birth certificates before 2019 to correct the records and undergo proper legal adoption without penalty, provided they meet the law’s requirements.

“If you have a child under your custody who was left with you or offered to you, and you registered yourself as the child’s mother, that is a criminal offense under the Revised Penal Code and Republic Act 1164 because it is a form of illegal adoption and simulation of a birth certificate,” she explained in Filipino.

Macalintal said the offense carries heavy penalties, including imprisonment.

“This carries a penalty of eight to 10 years’ imprisonment. There is also civil and administrative liability if you are a government employee. But if the simulation happened in 2019 or earlier and you have been caring for the child as your own, you are provided benefits under the Simulated Birth Rectification Act,” she added.

Macalintal noted that the law includes a sunset provision, meaning the amnesty can only be availed until 2029, or 10 years from the law’s effectivity in 2019.

“You just need to file your petitions with the local government units, through the Local Social Welfare and Development Offices, to petition for the rectification of the simulated birth certificate. Once the adoption decree is issued, you can already have the birth certificate amended to reflect that you are the legitimate parent of the child you adopted, and you will have no penalty,” she said.

She added that the amnesty also covers health workers or other individuals who may have helped in the simulation of birth records.

“Even the nurses, midwives, or doctors who connived in the issuance of the birth certificate can also avail themselves of the amnesty provided by our law, but only until 2029,” Macalintal said.

She urged those concerned to coordinate with authorities while the amnesty window remains open.

“If you have a relative or know someone who simulated a birth certificate in 2019 or earlier, coordinate with the NACC through our Regional Child Care Offices or with your Local Social Welfare and Development Officers in your local government units so we can process the rectification and adoption,” she said.

Moreover, Macalintal appealed to mothers in crisis not to abandon their children, saying the government has systems in place to help both the child and the parent.

“If you can no longer take care of your child, there is no need to throw them away or leave them anywhere, because that only puts them in danger. We have 148 prospective adoptive parents on the NACC roster who are waiting and praying to be matched with babies,” she said.

She advised mothers to bring children to DSWD residential care facilities, child-caring agencies, social workers, safe havens, hospitals, or churches.

Macalintal assured them they would not face charges for abandonment.

“You can bring your children there and you will not be arrested. You will not be charged with abandonment. You will be helped. The first protocol is to provide the mother with counseling and intervention so she does not have to let go of her child,” she said.