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MANILA, Philippines — Senators on Friday lauded the approval of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Foundling Recognition and Protection Act, the law that gives rights and protection to abandoned children.
On Friday, Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Erwin Tulfo led the IRR signing in San Juan City.
Senator Risa Hontiveros, the principal author and sponsor of the measure, hailed its approval and expressed appreciation to her colleagues in Congress during the ceremonial signing.
Notably, she thanked Senators Lito Lapid, Pia Cayetano, and Grace Poe for working together to pass the measure despite the challenges of a pandemic quickly.
Hontiveros also conveyed her gratitude for Rep. Yedda Romualdez of Tingog party-list as their counterpart in the House of Representatives.
“Nang dahil sa aming pagtutulungan, naging madali at mabalis ang pagsabatas nito. The swiftness with which we were able to push for this measure only shows our collective willingness, our urgency, our hope to do right by our children,” the lawmaker said.
(It was easier for us to pass this law because we did this together. The swiftness with which we were able to push for this measure only shows our collective will, our urgency, and our hope to do right by our children.)
Hontiveros further noted: “Ikinagagalak at ikinararangal kong maging parte sa pagsulat, pagsabatas, at ngayo’y pag-umpisa ng pag-implementa ng batas na ito. Magtulungan, mag-ambagan, at sama-sama nating siguraduhin na tunay na makinabang ang ating mga bata. May we never forget that the foundlings, our children, are the beating heart and very soul of this law.”
(It is my joy and honor to write and pass this law, and now that we’ll start implementing this legislation. We’ll work together, contribute, and as one, we’ll ensure that the children will benefit from this. May we never forget that the foundlings, our children, are this law’s beating heart and very soul.)
With this, she underscored that through this law, foundlings are given the right to access government programs and services such as registration, facilitation of documents for adoption, education, protection, nourishment, and care, among others.
Meanwhile, Poe — a foundling herself — similarly celebrated the approval of the law’s IRR.
“I am grateful to have been given the opportunity to be part of this landmark legislation. No sweeter words could ever be written. Today, we, foundlings, are no longer invisible,” she said.
Poe later added: “We achieved victory with the enactment of the law. With the IRR, we hope to see all abandoned children enjoying equal treatment and every available service due them.”
Before the enactment of this law, the senator said the country’s legislations were mum on foundlings and specifically failed to mention natural-born Filipino citizens.
“The implications of this was that foundlings were stateless and could be technically deprived of protection from the State,” she added.
Poe then urged concerned agencies to implement the law fully and effectively.
“We must work together to make the country a shining example of humanitarianism by being a safe haven for foundlings,” Poe said. — Lyka Farillon, Inquirer.net Intern