STEP BY STEP GUIDELINES IN ADOPTING A CHILD IN THE PHILIPPINES

Here are the GUIDELINES IN ADOPTING A CHILD IN THE PHILIPPINES. 

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Every couple’s dream is to have a happy complete family in their simple home. Many of them consider adopting a child due to some personal reasons. However, unlike applying for marriage license or processing papers for child records, adopting a child is a tiresome process. Thus, a couple wanting to adopt a child should prepare themselves physically, emotionally and mentally to make sure they can finish the process.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) provided guidelines on how to adopt a child in the Philippines. The requirements and directions are according to the Republic Act 8552 known as the Domestic Adoption Law. The following information are based from DSWD's instructions. For inquiries, you may visit their official website: www.dswd.gov.ph.

Who are qualified to adopt a child in the Philippines?

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The adopter may be:

1. A Filipino citizen or at least residing in the Philippines. Other qualifications are the following:

-The adopter must be of legal age, should be at least sixteen (16) years older than the adoptee, except when the said adopter is the biological parent or spouse of the adoptee’s biological parent.

-The adopter must have the capacity to act and undertake all the rights and obligations incident to the exercise of parental authority.

-The adopter must be of good moral character and has not been imprisoned of any crime including moral depravity.

-The adopter must be in a good position to support, educate and care for the children in keeping with the means of the family.

-The adopter must have undergone pre-adoption services.

2. An alien having the same qualifications stated for Filipino nationals, providing these additional qualifications:

-His/her country has diplomatic relations with the Philippines, has been certified by his/her diplomatic or consular office or any appropriate government agency that he/she has the legal capacity to adopt in his/her country, and that his/her government allows the adoptee to enter his/her country as his/her adopted son/daughter.

-He/She has been residing in the Philippines for at least three (3) continuous years prior to the filing of the application for adoption and maintains such residence until the adoption decree is entered.

-The requirements on residency and certification of his/her qualification to adopt his/her country may be renounced for the following: former Filipino citizen who seeks to adopt a relative within 4^th degree of affinity, one seeking to adopt legitimate child of his/her Filipino spouse, or one who is married to a Filipino citizen and seeks to adopt with his/her spouse a relative within 4^th degree of affinity of the Filipino spouse.

3. Guardian with respect to the ward after the termination of the guardianship and clearance of his/her financial accountabilities.

-Husband and wife will mutually adopt, except if spouses are legally separated; or if one spouse seeks to adopt the legitimate child of the other; or if one spouse seeks to adopt his/her own illegitimate child provided signified consent by the other spouse.

-If they will mutually adopt, or one spouse adopts the illegitimate child of the other, joint parental authority will be exercised by the spouses.

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Who can be adopted in the Philippines?

-Any person below 18 who has been administratively or judicially declared available for adoption.

-Legitimate son/ daughter of one spouse by the other spouse.

-Illegitimate son/ daughter by a qualified adopter/s to improve his/her status to that of legitimacy.

-A person of legal age if, prior to the adoption, said person has been consistently considered and treated by the adopter/s as his/her own child since minority.

-A child whose adoption has been previously cancelled.

-A child whose biological parent/s has died provided that no proceedings shall be initiated within six (6) months from the time of death of the said parent/s.

Whose written consent is required to the Adoption?

-The adoptee, if 10 years of age or over

-The biological parent/s of the child, or the legal guardian, or the proper government instrumentality which has the legal guardianship of the child

-The legitimate and adopted children and even the illegitimate children, if 10 years of age or over, of the adopter if living with said adopter and the latter’s spouse, if any

-The spouse of the person adopting or to be adopted, if any.

What are the required documents for adopting the child?

-PSA Birth Certificate

-PSA Marriage Certificate(if adopters are married)

-Written authorization to the adoption of the legitimate, adopted, or illegitimate children living with the applicant who are aged ten (10) years old and above.

-Health Certificate of adopting couple and their family member

-NBI Clearance or Police Clearance

-Latest Income Tax Return (ITR) or any proof of income

-Three (3) Character References

-Statement of Acceptance from labelled guardian

-Latest family picture and home photos

-Home Study Report

What are the Step-by-Step Process involved in adopting a child?

1.The adopter/s must attend the adoption counseling conducted by the DSWD.

2.The adopter must submit the application requirements to DSWD to start preparation of home study report. The adopter must wait for the approval of the application. 

3.If approved, DSWD will facilitate matching or family selection. 

4.There will be pre-placement of the child with the prospective adoptive parents. The child will be placed with the adoptive parents when everything is cleared. 

5.Supervised trial custody will start to see how the child adjusts to the new environment.

6. If the supervised trial custody is passed, Adoption Decree/ Certificate of Finality will be issued to the family. 

7.The amended birth certificate of the adopted child will also be given to the adoptive parents. 

8.Provision of post-adoptive services will be offered also by the family.

What are the costs involved in adopting a child in the Philippines?

The fees and charges involving the adoption may vary depending on applicants who are either former Filipinos or foreigners permanently residing abroad. It is best that you may contact someone who successfully adopted a child and can advise you on this. 

For domestic adoption, the following are the fees and charges you should prepare:

1. Lawyers’ fee 

2. Newspaper publication of the adoption petition. The total cost for the publication could be as low as Php 7,000 if small-time newspaper or could be as high as Php 50,000 if big-time newspaper.

3. Court fees (docket fee, stenographic notes)

4. Fees for adoption registration and issuance of amended birth certificate.

5. Required documents which may provide fees like birth certificates, marriage certificate, proof of financial capacity (like ITR, bank deposit, etc), clearances (barangay, police, NBI, fiscal, court), and others as proof of good moral character, good health, etc.

FOR INQUIRIES:

For inquiries on domestic adoption, call the DSWD-NCR Adoption Resource and Referral Unit at (632) 734-8622 or 488-2754. For inter-country adoption, call ICAB at (632) 721-9781 or 721-9782, or visit www.icab.gov.ph.

©2016 THOUGHTSKOTO

TOO MUCH WATER FOR BABIES UNDER ONE YEAR OLD MAY CAUSE PARALYSIS OR DEATH ?

1. DON'T FEED THE BABY UNDER 1 YEAR OLD WITH TOO MUCH WATER!

Adults are advise to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day to keep hydrated. But for babies especially those below one year old, drinking water can be dangerous and can lead to babies seizures, coma, brain damage and death.

2. DON'T DILUTE BREAST MILK WITH WATER

Breast milk provides all the fluid healthy babies need. NOTHING ELSE. In cases where Breast Milk is not enough, formula milk can serve as supplement. 
Experts says that "if a mother feels her baby needs to take additional water, it should be limited to two to three ounces at a time and should be offered only after the baby has satisfied his hunger with breast feeding or formula."

It becomes an eye opener and we would like to warn parents especially mothers about this very tragic event, a couple lost their less than 3-month old baby because they feed the baby with breast milk diluted with water.

Watch this video here about Studies that shows that formula or milk stretching is more common than generally thought. Pediatricians warn of potential effects.

3. DON'T DILUTE FORMULA MILK WITH TOOOOOO MUCH WATER

Is it okay to dilute formula milk with more water than the instruction in the label?
Watch this video here:

Babycenter moms has this to say:

"NONONONONONONO!!!! babies have died because of this! I used to work in an emergency room and we had young babies come in so sick, and so weak and so malnourished it would just break your heart. Their mothers would say "well, I was just trying to save some money on formula" IT IS NOT WORTH YOUR BABY'S LIFE. Incidentally it is also a HUGE problem in Africa where the formula companies are making a big push there to get mothers to use formula instead of breastfeed but the mothers can't read the English instructions on the cans. Hundreds of babies are dying because they are not getting enough nutrients. Don't let him do this, make the formula yourself if you have to!"

image from wholesomebabyfood,com
©2015 THOUGHTSKOTO

The Chemist-Turn-to-Movie Director in Me

Ayan, ang dalawang babae sa buhay ko, subject ng aking piangkakaabalahang Video Ad. Sana kayo din, gagawa din, inviting others to sponsor the Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards.

Bakit nga ba kelangan ng sponsor sa event?

Kung hindi makakadalo ang mga nominees, they will send 1 or 2 representative to be there, depende sa sponsors na makukuha. Basta it is a must na may representative, Kapamilya at Kapuso, anybody na kung tatawagin ang name mo will come to stage to get the ala-Oscar's trophy-like-plaque.

Unang-una, we want it to be special.

We need some "cash" to pay for the rent of the venue, and the dinner date, and the entertainment and everything for free. Syempre, may mga freebies pa yun, kaya suerte ng dadalo. Promise. (hehe) Ayan bumitaw ako ng magic word. Lagot, NJ, pafinance ha. haha.

Pangalawa, we need some seed money for the future projects. KABLOGS is very busy for their version of that project, but sa PEBA, we are planning to adopt-two-poor-but-deserving-kids-to-send-to-school, symbolic of our two years of existence.

at pangatlo, to be use sa mga outreach programs and kawanggawa projects that directly affects or involve OFW's lives.

Kaya company or individual kagaya nila Generous Lady at Promil Kid, inaanyayahan namin kayo to support and sponsor PEBA.

Download the sponsorship package at the PEBA homesite at ibigay sa mga connections at kakilala. Maraming salamat po!

I also invite you to create your video ads and submit it sa PEBA Video Ad Contest.

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Paumanhin:

Wala po akong internet sa planta. Ang hirap ng buhay, ngayon ko napatunayan na adik nga talaga ako sa internet, parang pakiramdam ko kawawang-kawawa ako dahil wala akong net. Hindi tuloy ako makapagyabang about PEBA at KABLOGS, at higit sa lahat hindi ako makacomment sa mga post niyo, pero nababasa ko naman sa RSS sa Cellphone ko.

Sa bahay kasi oras na ng dalawang girls yun kaya bihira ako makapagnet...kaya paumanhin muna, babawi ako kapag bumalik na ang net ko.

Bakit nga ba walang net?

Tinamaan ng backhoe ang cable, ayun, lasog-lasog, dahil nga expansion to the max ang planta ko. hehe

Enjoy this short over 1-minute amateur video...

CREATE YOURS TOO!

Have you seen the PEBA Nominees Video Series 1?

©2009 THOUGHTSKOTO

Thoughtskoto Thoughts

Losers have schemes

they see the pain, the past, and the problems,

they let things happen, and always a part of the problem.

Losers makes promises and fail,

they don't join and always apart from the team.

Loser always has an excuse,

says "That's not my job"

or Something must be done".

Winners have dreams

they see the grain, the potential, and the possibilities,

they make things happen, and always a part of the answer.

Winners makes commitments and delivers

they organize and always a part of the team.

Winners always has a programmes,

says "Let me do it for you",

or "I must do something".

Winners sees an answer for every problem;

Losers sees a problem for every answer.

Winners believe in winner by both side or win/win

Losers believe they must win, and someone must lose.

Winners says "It may be difficult but it is possible";

Loser says "It may be possible but it is too difficult".

Winners makes mistakes and says "I was wrong";

Losers makes mistakes and says "It wasn't my fault".

Note: The photo above was taken with Babytots 25th December 2008. She was holding a bag full of presents. 

©2008 THOUGHTSKOTO

Every day is a Challenge

Everyday is a challenge, I always remind people and my wife about that. I am constantly battling with challenges from work, family, personal and many others I face day by day.

The moment I wake up in the morning, perhaps some of you are deep in to sleep, (4:00AM!) I feel and always reminded by the challenges. Waking itself by the way is a challenge since it's just feel better to sleep specially that winter is coming. Me and my wife will then kneel and pray, as I hurriedly prepare myself and my dearest girlfriend diligently prepares my pack lunch and snacks. 

The moment I step out of the door, 4:50 AM is always a challenge. There are times I will be walking along the streets alone and it's dark, not many people are starting their work too early just like me. Walking for 10 minutes going to the highway where the bus will pick me up is also a challenge, you know some out of mind people might be interested to toy and play with this cute, small, and goodlooking guy. (nyehaha)

The moment you step in the bus, is another challenge. I have tremendous trust with our driver, but how about other drivers who haven't sleep or who went partying all night? Report says KSA was the highest car accident country in the world. If you live outside our cocoon, you won't understand. But if you worked or lived or been to here, you know what I mean. That one thing alone, driving here scares me that during my driving test, the tire on the drivers side touched the white line during parking. (whew! but I am not giving it, and I am going to go again this time till I get my Saudi driving license, back home, I drove and drove till my pick up truck went turtle down...you know? Warning: Don't do this and don't experiment, believe me, you're not as elastic as I am.) Honestly, I run 120 Km/H and my driver's side tire exploded...

When I get to worked, the much harder challenges confront me. Being in charge of the quality of a thriving drinking water business is a challenge. 

When you get home, the moment you step in the door, you'll hear the baby laughs or mumble words or cries, that's another challenge. A toodler will take most of your time, you wont have that much time to post a blog, and your wife can't cook foods or clean the house, but perhaps it is a challenge that bears satisfaction and tremendous joy. Family.

Some of the greatest challenges we have in life are those about our families and those closest to us. David O. Mckay says, 'There is no success that can compensate for failure in the home.' Mitt Romney said "The greatest work you are doing, are the works done within the walls of your home." I believe those two quotes. That's why working for the betterment of our family, the strengthening of our commitment and love to one another, the building of a joyful place called home, and the rearing of children that someday they will become the strength to light on the seemingly dimming world. That is a huge challenge. Sometimes as a young father, it seems insormountable, sometimes, it seems impossible to achieve.

But the smile of a beautiful baby girl, is enough to wipe those fears and doubts and move on and be strong so that the baby girls future will be better. The love of a woman so lovely and kind and caring is enough to make me excited and be inspired, in battling those challenges. The best thing where we can draw strength is not the worldly status we achieve or the material wealth we acquired, but the love of those around us, our families, and friends.

Every challenges we overcome anyway, added strength and experienced to our life, thereby making us more brave and more better the next time.

Thoughtskoto - weblogs about reality and opinions.
Rants and observations and musings about faith, hope as well as life and love.

©2008 THOUGHTSKOTO

There is a Monster Inside

This post goes to all women who have met her, the monster I am talking about.

I am not the only one who called her 'a monster', other people too. *

I hate her, perhaps all of you who met her do too. My wife is battling and winning against her.

This monster will make you feel sad, blue, unhappy, miserable, or down in the dumps. Most mothers met her one time, one way or another. It can make your mood swing 360 degrees, like a feeling of loss, anger or frustration interfering with every happy day for an extended time. She attacks in a mild way, moderate or severe.

Tiredness, a problem in sleeping, a strong emotional reactions, and changes in body weight are some of her symptoms.

If you delivered a lovely and beautiful baby, one that can't be bought with money, and have the following symptoms, you are dealing with this monster.

• Feeling restless or irritable
• Feeling sad, hopeless, and overwhelmed
• Crying a lot
• Having no energy or motivation
• Eating too little or too much
• Sleeping too little or too much
• Trouble focusing, remembering, or making decisions
• Feeling worthless and guilty
• Loss of interest or pleasure in activities
• Withdrawal from friends and family
• Having headaches, chest pains, heart palpitations (the heart beating fast and feeling like it is skipping beats), or hyperventilation (fast and shallow breathing)

After pregnancy, signs of depression may also include being afraid of hurting the baby or oneself and not having any interest in the baby. Postpartum depression often affects a woman’s well-being and keeps her from functioning well for a period of time.

All children deserve the chance to have a healthy mom. All moms deserve the chance to enjoy their life and their children. Don’t suffer alone.

Last night, at 2am midnight, I was awaken by a loud, pitiful cry by the very lovely woman who bore my pretty girl. I have to hug her, cry with her, and cuddle the baby who too was crying because her Mom cries desperately. PPD, or Post partum depression, along with her hair falling is the monster my wife and I are fighting. She cannot rob us of our happiness and joy, and the wonderful dreams we have of our flourishing family and getting stronger abd stronger relationship.

Sometimes in life we get arrested with afflictions and infirmities, diseases and sickness that makes us slow and weak, but with the wonder healing power of love, unfailing and constant, and faith in Him who knows us all, who loves us all and who care for us more than anyone in this world, there is hope, solid, true, and never waning...

If you have met this monster before, please leave us a comment and suggest what we can do to relieve my dear wife. I honestly plead for your help.

©2008 THOUGHTSKOTO