The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga, through the Adoption Resource and Referral Unit (ARRU), conducted three (3) batches of Regional Forum on Aruga and Kalinga sa mga Bata sa Barangay (AKBB) around Caraga Region.

The said forum was first carried out at the Philippine Gateway Hotel in Surigao City on November 23, 2021, followed by the next batches held at the Balanghai Hotel and Convention Center in Butuan City last November 24 and 26, 2021.

Promotion of foster care and encouraging LGUs in implementing foster care services for children in their respective Barangays are the highlight of the Regional Forum, including the goal if developing and maintaining a pool of licensed foster parents.

In line with the policies of Foster Care Program of DSWD, the agency developed a strategy entitled Aruga and Kalinga sa Barangay through Administrative Order 08 – a strategy that provides planned substitute parental care to abandoned, neglected and other children in need of temporary substitute parental care.

Foster Care is one of the most nurturing alternative placements for children in need of temporary substitute family care. While there are residential facilities available through DSWD’s Centers and Residential Care Facilitiie (CRCF), a child still grows best in a family where he/she is given individualized care and all of his/her needs are met.

With this, DSWD, through the ARRU, intensifies the implementation of Alternative Family Care in Caraga Region through the AKBB project and continues to advocate the right of every child to grow and be nurtured by his/her own family.#