Philipines' INTERCOUNTRY ADOPTION SYSTEM HAILED BY INTERNATIONAL LAW GROUP

RP’s INTERCOUNTRY ADOPTION SYSTEM HAILED BY INTERNATIONAL LAW GROUP

Tuesday, 08 December 2009 09:35

Social Welfare and Development Secretary Esperanza I. Cabral today said that the Permanent Bureau of The Hague Conference on Private International Law has recognized the exemplary practices of the Philippines in the field of International Adoption.

The Hague Conference on Private International Law is an international organization that works for the progressive unification of the rules of private international law.

The Philippines’ intercountry adoption program is being implemented by the Inter-country Adoption Board (ICAB), an attached agency of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), which serves as the central authority for inter-country adoption.

Jennifer Degeling of the Permanent Bureau stated in a letter to the DSWD that the Philippines has a very good practice on inter-country adoption. Hence, the Philippines’ intercountry adoption system will be included in the new ‘Intercountry Adoption Guide to Good Practice,’ of the Permanent Bureau.

The Philippines’ good practices will be in the chapter entitled, “Perspectives from Receiving Countries and Countries of Origin.” This will contain a description of the structures and arrangements regarding accredited bodies in the Philippines.

Ms. Degeling added that other countries are expected to learn from the good practices of the Philippines.

“The readers of the new Guide will have the opportunity to see concrete examples of how the intercountry adoption system is being done in the Philippines and how various sectors are working together to effectively implement a well-organized system,” Secretary Cabral added.

Meanwhile, the ICAB was also tapped by the Permanent Bureau to provide technical assistance to the Cambodian Government for the effective implementation of the 1993 Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in respect of inter-country adoption.

Secretary Cabral is the chairperson of ICAB with Undersecretary Luwalhati F. Pablo as alternate chairperson. ### (DSWD – Social Marketing Service) December 7, 2009

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