(Davao City) — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office XI through its Adoption Resource and Referral Section recently concluded its adoption consciousness celebration with the conduct of the orientation on Republic Act 11222 or the “Simulated Birth Rectification Act.”

The activity was participated by some social welfare and development officers and civil registrars of the local government units in the region.

RA 11222 aims to grant amnesty and allow the rectification of the simulated birth of a child where the simulation was made for the best interest of the child.

The law defines simulation of birth record as the “tampering of the civil registry to make it appear in the record of birth that a child was born to a person who is not such child’s biological mother, causing the loss of true identity and status of such child.”

A person or persons who simulated the birth of a child must file a petition for adoption with an application for the rectification of the simulated birth record within ten (10) years from the effectivity of the act to the local social welfare and development office of the city or municipality where the child resides.

They may also avail of the administrative proceedings for the adoption and rectification of the simulated birth record provided that the child has been living with the person for at least three (3) years before the effectivity of the act and that a certificate declaring the child legally available for adoption (CDCLAA) is issued by DSWD in favor of such child.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte signed RA 11222 into law on February 21, 2019. (DSWD XI)