The DSWD Field Office 8 through its Adoption Resources and Referral Section (ARRS) started to conduct an orientation for the implementation of Republic Act (RA) 11222 or known as the “Simulated Birth Rectification Act of 2019”.
The orientation was attended by the Field Office social workers, and provincial and social welfare and development officers of the local government units in the region.
This is part of the Department’s initiative to further strengthen its coordination and collaboration with the local government units through capability building activities and series of consultation dialogue in the advocacy of the adoption and foster care program and have a common understanding of the laws governing RA 11222 and domestic adoption.
The RA 11222 allows granting amnesty to a person(s) who has simulated the birth of a child through filing a petition for rectification and administrative adoption.
The law also exempts the person who committed the simulation of the birth record from criminal, civil, and administrative liability.
A person(s) who simulated the birth of a child should file a petition for adoption with an application for the rectification of the simulated birth record “within ten (10) years from the date of effectivity of the law on March 29, 2019” to the local social welfare and development office of the city or municipality where the child resides.
At the orientation, Josamae Merencillo, DSWD ARRS head, explained that “fixing the status and filiation of child is recognizing his or her right to have a name and shall ensure that all the rights and privileges are given to him or her like that of a natural child.”
Further, DSWD Central Office RA 11222 focal Jocelyn Vince Cruz, through a virtual presentation, emphasized that the law is applicable not only to children who have simulated birth records but also to adults given that the person(s) who committed the act shall serve as the petitioners.
On the other hand, the orientation is also part of the DSWD Field Office’s support to the National Children Month (NCM) celebration anchored on the theme “Sama-samang Itaguyod ang Karapatan ng Bawat Bata sa Panahon ng Pandemya.”
#DSWDMayMalasakit
#DSWDKalingaAtPagmamahal
#LagingHandaPH
#FosterCareAndAdoption
#adoptionislove
#theNAMEoftheCHILDisTODAY
#2020ChildrensMonth
#SamaSamangItaguyodAngKarapatanNgBawatBataSaPanahonNgPandemya
[photo credits: DSWD FO-8 Adoption Resources and Referral Section (ARRS) ]
