DSWD sets activities to mark Adoption Consciousness Week

THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), in collaboration with other agencies, is celebrating this year’s “Adoption Consciousness Week” from Feb. 4 to Feb. 10.

This year’s theme, “Isulong Legal na Pag-aampon,” seeks to address the increasing number of children  whose birth certificates were simulated and did not go through the legal adoption process.

In Central Visayas, the DSWD is spearheading the observance of Adoption Consciousness Week with activities  aimed at raising awareness of the general public on legal adoption.

The celebration opened last Feb. 4 with a motorcade, followed by a press briefing at the DSWD-7 conference room.

Other activities include adoption and foster care fora on Feb. 9 and 10 and the setting up of an adoption help desk at SM City Mall to entertain queries.

DSWD-7 data showed that 117 children were issued Child Legally Available for Adoption certificates in 2010, of whom 79 were matched to prospective adoptive applicants.

Among the licensed facilities working for the adoption of these children are the Children Shelter of Cebu, Asilo dela Milagrosa, Albert Sweitzer Familien Werk, Friendship Home Foundation, Rainbow Village Industries, Norfil Foundation Inc. and the Holy Trinity Angels.