DSWD celebrates adoption month

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-7 has officially started this year’s celebration of Adoption Consciousness Month with the theme “Pagmamahal Palaganapin, Legal na Pag-aampon Ating Gawin!” (Spread Unconditional Love through Legal Adoption).

To encourage everyone who wanted to adopt, Kaking Sy, president of the Central Visayas Adoptive Parents Association (CVAPA) Inc., said that there is a proposed bill that will simplify the process of adoption.

House Bill 1070 or the proposed Domestic Administrative Adoption Act is pending at the Senate.

Under this proposed measure, principal author Senator Grace Poe said that taking adoption into the realm of administrative proceedings will hasten the process, minimize the cost on the part of the petitioners and de-clog numerous court cases thus, benefitting the public in general and encourage more individuals or couples to adopt children.

Poe explained in her “Explanatory Note” that the current law, Republic Act No. 8552 or the Domestic Adoption Act of 1998, involves two aspects: the social and the legal aspect.

The senator said that both aspects entail tedious processes and high cost.

In connection with the adoption consciousness month, DSWD-7 has slated some activities from February 22 and will culminate today.

The week-long celebration kicked off last February 22 with a motorcade from the Cebu City hall going to the Home for Girls in Labangon, Cebu City for a program.

In a statement released by the agency, the DSWD said that children from the participating centers that include the Asilo de la Milagrosa Center, My Bonita Homes and Albert Schweitzer Familienwerk Foundation Inc. captivated the audience through their talents in singing and dancing.

Among the invited guests in the program were the adoptive parents of twins, Mr. Alexander and Mrs. Jenelyn Tañedo, who described the happiness of raising a child.

“We are very proud nga niabot ning kaluha kanamo kay nausab gyud among lifestyle,” said Alexander.

He added that before the twins came, when they get bored, they just go out and never mind what time they have to come home.

“You have to be ready financially and emotionally,” advised Jenelyn to those who have planned of adopting.

She added, “having twins maybe tiring sometimes, especially after you came from work, but when they smile, it’s all worth it.”

Before the program ended, the DSWD-7 staff hugged the children to show that they are loved and cared for. Some kids shed tears for the simple gesture of love and affection shown by the staff.

The celebration will culminate today with a series of events and activities such as Short Film competition, Give it your best shot photo contest 2020, and Dance of the Decades at SM City Cebu.  GAN (FREEMAN)