Over 8,000 children in care; 1,000+ up for adoption — NACC

More than 8,000 children are currently under the care of child-caring agencies in the Philippines, with over 1,000 already legally available for adoption, the National Authority for Child Care (NACC) said Tuesday.

NACC Operations and Services Director Imelda Ronda said a total of 8,051 children are in institutional care. Of these, some are set to be reunited with their families, while others are undergoing assessment for adoption.

“Ang kanilang mga kaso ay nahahati sa mga sumusunod: mayroong 5,547 na bata for reunification sa kanilang pamilya. Ibig sabihin nito ay ibabalik sila sa kanilang mga pamilya matapos ang positibong assessment ng parenting capability," Ronda said on Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon.

(Their cases are divided as follows: 5,547 children are for reunification with their families, meaning they will be returned after a positive assessment of their families’ parenting capability.)

"Mayroon tayong 1,302 na bata na kasalukuyang under assessment o nasa proseso ng pagsusuri,” she added. 

(We have 1,302 children currently under assessment or in the process of evaluation.)

Ronda added that 1,672 children have already been issued a Certification Declaring a Child Legally Available for Adoption (CDCLAA).

“Mayroon tayong 1,672 na mga bata na na-issuehan ng Certification Declaring a Child Legally Available for Adoption—ibig sabihin nito ay magkakaroon na sila ng pamilya sa pamamagitan ng domestic adoption,” she said.

(We have 1,672 children who have been issued a Certification Declaring a Child Legally Available for Adoption—this means they can now have families through domestic adoption.)

The NACC also highlighted its “KAYA Ko! Program,” which prepares children who age out of the foster care system at 18 for independent living. Some children, particularly those with disabilities, remain under long-term care.

“(Itong programa) ay para sa mga batang nag-a-aging out na sa aming sistema at kailangang maihanda para sa independent living. Mayroon din tayong mga bata na nasa long-term care, lalo na ang mga children with disabilities,” Ronda said.

(This program) prepares children aging out of the system for independent living. Meanwhile, some children remain in long-term care, particularly those with disabilities.)

Meanwhile, Department of Justice Undersecretary Margarita Gutierrez reported the conviction of a mother who sold her child online. The accused was sentenced to imprisonment of four years and nine months to six years and eight months, and fined P15,000.

The NACC urged the public to consider legal adoption, noting that the process has been streamlined.

“Akala ng karamihan ay mahirap mag-adopt… Huwag silang matakot sa legal na proseso dahil mas pinadali na ang domestic administrative adoption,” Ronda said.

(Most people think adoption is difficult… They should not be afraid of the legal process because domestic administrative adoption has already been made easier.)—MCG, GMA News