NACC enters MOA with 21 Visayas LGUs vs illegal adoption

CEBU, Philippines — The National Authority for Child Care (NACC) has partnered with 21 local government units (LGUs) in the Visayas to combat illegal adoption and address emergency child placement.

“Right from the start, the NACC has already identified the crucial role that LGUs play to ensure the success of our campaigns and initiatives. We need the help of all LGUs at the grassroots level to make it happen,” said NACC Executive Director and Undersecretary Janella Estrada.

LGUs that will be in agreement with NACC include the following municipalities and cities: Tapaz, Capiz; Pototan, Iloilo; New Lucena, Iloilo; Naval, Biliran; Mina, Iloilo; Miagao, Iloilo; Jordan, Guimaras; Fornier, Antique; Dumarao, Capiz; City of Roxas, Capiz; Himamaylan City; Madridejos, Cebu; Santa Fe, Cebu; City of Talisay, Cebu; City of Naga, Cebu; Asturias, Cebu; Candijay, Bohol; Alicia, Bohol; Guindulman, Bohol; Sogod, Southern Leyte; and Biliran, Biliran.

This collaboration was forged during the 1st National Congress on Adoption and Child Care yesterday. Estrada encouraged the LGUs to aim for a minimum of 20 foster parents per LGU through the Philippine Foster Care Program, as outlined in the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA).

“Ang foster care na MOA with LGUs, gusto sana namin kahit makapag-develop sila ng mga 20 foster parents per LGU para kung mga may ganitong cases ay agad-agad natin mabibigay sa mga foster families,” Estrada said.

In the Visayas region, eight LGUs have already signed the MOA, while another eight LGUs are to sign today.

Estrada also highlighted that ongoing issues of emergency placement, illegal adoption, and child trafficking have driven the agency to establish agreements both within and beyond the region.

She revealed that 23 Facebook pages involved in illegal child selling have been identified. Some have been deactivated, while others were taken down by the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).

Additionally, three individuals engaged in illegal selling have been apprehended—two from Das Mariñas, Cavite, and one from Catarman, Samar.

Estrada also noted that poverty is a significant factor contributing to this rampant issue. She then urged Filipinos to support legal adoption instead of illegal methods, such as foster care adoption.

At present, there are 125 active foster parents with 135 children in foster care. Estrada said that the children in foster care are being subsidized from P8,000 to P10,000 depending on the child’s medical condition.

“Naninawala ako na kapag tayo ay sama-sama, mas malaki ang impact ng ating mga ginagawang programa para sa mga batang nangangailangan ng pamilya,” Estrada said. – Donna Rose Egos /FPL (FREEMAN)