DSWD 6 gears for Adoption Consciousness Day
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Western is all set to observe the Adoption Consciousness Day on February 2, 2008 per Proclamation No. 72.
In a PIA interview, Ms. May Rago-Castillo, Information Officer of DSWD 6,said that there are several activities programmed to highlight the significance of the event. She said an Adoption Fun-Run will be conducted as a kick-off activity. Other activities are: Setting-up of Adoption Help Desks, Hanging of Streamers, Adoption Fora and Media guestings. The DSWD 6 officials will be the guests of the PIA-CATV program next week to help increase the level of awareness of the public to mark the significance of the adoption program.
The theme of the celebration will focus on "Isulong ! Legal Na Pag-aampon, Hindi Simulation."
Ms. Castillo said the National Organizing Committee chaired by the DSWD has agreed that the observance will be undertaken for one week, February 2-8, 2008.
"Adoption," Castillo said is a "socio-legal process of giving a permanent family to a child whose parents have voluntarily or involuntarily given up their parental rights".
As stipulated in Republic Act 8552, Section 34 of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Domestic Adoption, adoptive parents may be given maternity and paternity benefits if the adoptee is less than seven years old at the time of placement to the adoptive parents by virtue of the Pre-adoptive Placement Authority given by the DSWD.
Prospective adoptive parents are required to attend and Adoption Forum to understand the adoption process. Queries about the adoption process, documents required and other adoption-related issues are addressed in this forum.
The DSWD 6 urged the public to join in the observance of Adoption Day activity so that they will understand the significance of the event. (PIA/T.Villavert)