Butuan City- Being the lead agency for Adoption Consciousness celebration, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Caraga in collaboration with the Department of Education (DepEd)-Caraga conducted on June 6, 2016 the Regional Oratorical Contest on Adoption Consciousness held at Robinsons Mall, here.
This was actively participated by eight (8) secondary students from different divisions and schools in the region.
The students delivered their original tagalog piece expounding this year’s Adoption Consciousness observance theme, “Legal na Ampon Ako, Anak na Totoo”. The contest aims to increase the awareness of students, parents and school personnel on the appropriate process of adoption.
In her inspirational message, Regional Director Minda B. Brigoli explained the significant role of the Department in adopting a child.
“The DSWD is the one given the power to constitute this law. Our registered Social Workers counsel the parties involved, contemplate on the eligibility of prospective adoptive parents/families, conduct a case study of the adoptee, facilitate the petition for adoption, and act appropriately on what the court may decide on after the Supervised Trial Custody.” said Brigoli.
“Since 2002, we have placed 61 children to their adoptive parents/families and 28 are currently under due process. These children are now in good hands and are very glad and satisfied of their families. However, more families still need be found for the replacement of many other children nationwide.” she added.
DepEd-Caraga Assistant Regional Director Ramir Uytico also cited in his message the importance of the students’ participation in the advocacy on legal adoption.
In the contest, Ena Francesca Cadayona from Caraga Regional Science High School in Surigao City, won the first price, while Julie-Ar Sibala from Dapa National High School in Surigao del Norte and Trisha Marie Santos from Agusan National High School in Butuan City won the 2nd and 3rd price respectively.
With this, the first winner will advance to the national level competition and will represent the region.
Annually, the Department leads the celebration of Adoption Consciousness day pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 72, s. 1999. The celebration aims to raise and intensify public awareness on legal adoption of abandoned, surrendered and neglected children. ###(ABEGAIL R. ALVAREZ/Social Marketing Unit/DSWD Field Office Caraga)
