Stiffer penalty awaits those adopting foundlings for illegal activities — DSWD exec

An official of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Tuesday said the penalty for people who adopt foundlings with malicious intentions is now stiffer under the newly signed law.

At the Laging Handa public briefing, DSWD’s National Authority for Child Care (NACC) executive director Undersecretary Glenda Relova said those guilty may face up to P5 million of fine and two years of jail time.

“Medyo pinalaki natin yung penalty (We made the penalty stiffer),” she said.

“Ang mga magpaparehistro ng foundling para sa masamang balak katulad ng child trafficking ay magkakaroon ng fine ranging from P1 million to P5 million or imprisonment na hindi bababa sa tatlong buwan at higit sa dalawang taon,” she added.

(Those who will register foundling with ill intentions like for child trafficking will face fine ranging from P1 million to P5 million or imprisonment not lower than three months and not higher than two years.)

Relova was citing Article IV Section 17of the recently enacted Republic Act 11767 or the Foundling Recognition and Protection Act.

Under the new law, biological parents or legal guardians may restore legal custody and parental authority over the child through filing a petition to the NACC, she said.

Also, the law provides the designation of “safe havens,” where foundlings can be handed over, including churches, Department of Health-accredited hospitals and facilities, local DSWD offices, among others.

Relova urged the next administration to continue the efforts of the department in simplifying the legal adoption process and minimizing its cost. — RSJ, GMA News