President Rodrigo Duterte has signed a new law that will further simplify adoption in the country. (FILE PHOTO)
PHILIPPINES — President Rodrigo Duterte has signed a new law that will further simplify adoption in the country.
Republic Act 11642, or the Domestic Administrative Adoption and Alternative Child Care Act, was signed on Jan. 6 and released to the public on Thursday.
The legislation transfers all duties and functions of government agencies related to adoption and alternative child care to a new body, the National Authority for Child Care or NACC, and its regional offices.
The law ensures a swift administrative adoption process by setting a specific length of time by which the NACC and its regional offices may decide on petitions for adoption, as well as act on other requirements.
For example, once the Deputy Director for Services receives the regional office’s recommendation on a petition, there must be a decision on the adoption case within 60 calendar days.
The regional office has 15 days to check if the prospective parents have complied with requirements by reviewing documents and conducting personal interviews. It also has to submit its recommendation within this period.
Lawmakers have been advocating for adoption to be made simpler through a law that would trim the process from years to just months.
