By Junex Doronio
MANILA — To provide children with opportunities after exiting residential care facilities, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian has announced that the agency is advocating for the inclusion of adoption and alternative child care to the menu of programs.
This was emphasized by the DSWD chief during the consultation meeting on Tuesday (14 May 2024) at the DSWD Central Office in Quezon City.
“We are asking you to diversify and add to your existing mandates [the adoption and alternative child care program]. Bibigyan lang natin ng dalawang bagong program [ang mga bata] that will serve as an exit mechanism for [their] reintegration [into a new family],” Gatchalian said.
He added that this initiative is being undertaken in collaboration with the National Authority for Child Care (NACC), an attached agency of the DSWD.
“It is an option that should be ready in your arsenal of interventions,” Gatchalian said.
He also highlighted that the consultation with the stakeholders is part of the efforts of the DSWD and NACC “to come up with a policy that will strengthen the adoption and alternative child care system in the country.”
(el Amigo/MNM)
