Adoption, foster parenting pushed for singles, LGBTQ in Western Visayas
By Tara Yap
THE Regional Alternative Child Care Office-6 inks a MOA with the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP)-Iloilo chapter for legal aid in child adoption. (Tara Yap)
ILOILO CITY – Adoption and foster parenting is not only for traditional childless couples in Western Visayas but also open for individuals who are single or are LGBTQ.
“Single petitioners and members of the LGBTQ can be part of our adoptive and foster families here in Western Visayas,” said Janice Brasileño, officer-in-charge of the National Authority for Child Care (NACC) and its Regional Alternative Child Care Office (RACCO)-6.
As a quasi-judicial agency of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), RACCO-6 is giving emphasis to single petitioners, including LGBTQ, as part of this year’s Adoption and Child Care Week with the theme “Love Makes a Family.”
Brasileño said it is important for the person to be able to provide a nurturing home for the child.
RACCO-6 encourages single and LGBTQ petitioners as they are allowed under Republic Act No. 11642 or the Domestic Administrative Adoption and Alternative Child Care Act, which took effect in 2023.
RACCO-6 data found out that childless couples still account for a majority of petitions – 164 out of 189. Since 2023, only 25 petitions have been filed by single individuals, including LGBTQ. RACCO-6 has issued 119 Certificates of Finality out of the 128 cases with an Order of Adoption.
As part of this year’s Adoption and Child Care Week, RACCO-6 inked two memoranda of agreement (MOAs).
The first MOA was signed with the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP)-Iloilo chapter to help in legal aid for child adoption and the second, with Central Philippine University (CPU) for an internship program.