As the chime of the “Bell of Joy” rang through the hall during the National Authority on Child Care (NACC) agreement signing with local government units for the institutionalization of adoption and child care programs, the deep shrill of the bell signaled that once again, a child has been welcomed into a permanent, loving family.
Officer-in-Charge Josamae Sedillo of the Regional Alternative Child Care Office Eastern Visayas (RACCO VIII) heartfully read the Certificate of Finality and Order of Adoption of “Eric” and “Mae,” marking the formal beginning with their forever family. Eric becomes officially the first born of a couple from Maasin City, while Mae legally becomes the daughter of another couple from Limasawa, Southern Leyte.
The symbolic bell, mounted on a modest wooden stand, rang twice for the two children, as social welfare staff and visitors present were smiling, some in tears and applauding quietly, showing the unwavering dedication to child welfare. The ceremonial ringing of the bell symbolizes the successful completion of the child’s adoption journey from hope to home.
In Eastern Visayas, there are 56 children declared legally available for adoption and are expected to benefit from the partnership recently forged by NACC together with 46 LGUs across the region.
The partnership will strengthen the implementation of domestic administrative adoption, foster care, and other forms of alternative child care for abandoned, neglected, foundlings, orphaned, surrendered, abused, or exploited children in the region.
RACCO VIII has placed 29 children with their forever family. Some 53 children are under the care of licensed foster parents and a total 343 children have been provided with adoption and alternative child care programs and services since 2023.
NACC Usec. Janella Ejercito Estrada encouraged the public to support administrative adoption and other forms of alternative child care and ensure the safety and interest of a child by rejecting all forms of illegal adoption, particularly online selling of babies.
She made a heartfelt plea to desperate parents not to sell their child, and to instead come forward to NACC or the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for help.
“Hindi po natin dapat hayaan na maging negosyo ang buhay ng isang bata. Bawal pong magbenta ng bata, bawal pong magbigay ng bata sa iba, bawal pong mag-iwan ng bata kung saan-saan, bawal pong mag-tamper ng certificate ng bata, dapat pong sumunod sa proseso ng legal na pag-aampon,” Usec. Estrada said during the MOA signing with local government units in Eastern Visayas.
For RACCO VIII, the bell of joy has rung several times over the past months which represent months and even years of collaborative work among social workers, foster families, psychologists, and the adoptive parents who open their hearts and homes to a child in need.
For now, the bell stood still once more, quietly waiting for the next child who will soon find a forever home. (ACR/PIA Leyte)
