Davao City  – “We will continue to resolutely advocate legal adoption for as long as we have children who are homeless and needing a loving and caring family,” declares Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Regional Director Mercedita P. Jabagat Monday morning  at the opening of Adoption Consciousness Week at the DSWD Office.

Anchoring on this year’s theme Legal Na Ampon Ako, Anak Na Totoo (A Child Finds Worth in Legal Adoption), the annual observance focuses on the importance of legal adoption, on how this would redound in providing the best life and a brighter future for children who are adopted, Director Jabagat emphasized.

In advocating the weeklong celebration, the Department spearheads several events such as radio programs, press conference, television guesting, and adoption forum with prospective adoptive families and barangay health workers.

From February 16 to 18, Adoption Help Desks will be put up in the regional offices of Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Education and Department of Health.

Moreover, Davao City malls and branches throughout the region like SM, NCCC, Gaisano, Gaisano Grand and ER Mall will support the observance by setting up Adoption Help Desks in their premises on February 20 to 21.

On Saturday, February 20, some 74 active adoptive families will participate and share their best experiences at the Convention of Adoptive Families at Sunny Point, Maa.

In 2015, DSWD XI issued a Certificate Declaring A Child Legally Available for Adoption (CDCLAA) to 36 children while 32 children were matched with Prospective Adoptive Parents.

Meanwhile, 10 children were placed out with foster families last year.

Legal adoption is a permanent placement of a child in a qualified family while Foster Care pertains to a short-term or temporary placement of a child. (DSWD)