Santa josefa: The National Authority for Child Care (NACC), an agency under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), has joined forces with the local government unit (LGU) of Santa Josefa, Agusan del Sur, to enhance services for abandoned and neglected children. This partnership aims to strengthen child protection mechanisms in response to challenges highlighted during the Covid-19 pandemic.
According to Philippines News Agency, the collaboration marks the first of its kind in Mindanao and was initiated following the rescue of two foundling children in Barangay Sampaguita. Santa Josefa Mayor Richard Plaza sought assistance from NACC to establish a robust local child protection system to manage such cases effectively in the future. The partnership agreement, signed on October 21, positions Santa Josefa among six LGUs nationwide working with NACC to develop comprehensive foster care and adoption systems.
NACC Director for Operations and Services Imelda Ronda signed the agreement on behalf of Undersecretary Janella Estrada, the NACC executive director. The agreement mandates the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office of Santa Josefa to identify and train foster parents, prepare adoption petitions, and process certifications for children legally available for adoption.
Since 2023, NACC's foster care and adoption programs have assisted 212 abandoned and neglected children across the Caraga Region. Of these, 55 children have been placed with adoptive parents, 73 are in licensed foster care, and 30 have been declared legally available for adoption this year.
The DSWD operates centers and residential care facilities nationwide, caring for approximately 7,000 vulnerable children, including those abandoned, orphaned, or exploited. In Mindanao, the DSWD's Reception and Study Center for Children in Davao City currently supports 38 abandoned children aged 0 to 6 years, providing them with essential care and preparing them for alternative child care solutions.
DSWD Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao emphasized that a whole-of-nation approach underpins the country's efforts to institutionalize child protection initiatives. Recently, the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Council for the Welfare of Children advocated for integrating NACC's child care initiatives into the Child-Friendly Local Governance Audit, acknowledging these efforts as indicators of effective local governance.
Dumlao highlighted the importance of these initiatives, stating, "This keeps us aligned and united in ensuring that every child grows up protected, supported, and given a fair chance to thrive."
