Malate, Manila – Municipal Social Welfare Officers from the different provinces of MiMaRoPa came in to attend the orientation on Foster Care Act of 2012 held last July 17, 2013. The activity was facilitated by Social Welfare Officers Ms. Priscila Contreras and Ms. Cecil Sajonia. The aim of the activity is to enhance the skills of social workers in handling foster cases.

Assistant Regional Director for Administration Mr. Joel Mijares said that with the passage of the Republic Act 10165 or the Foster Care Act of 2012, social workers will play a big part on how the said law will be effectively implemented. Being the ones at the forefront, there is a need to know the salient features of the law so as to provide the child with his/her needs.

Ms. Sandra Plata of the Protective Services Bureau, DSWD Central Office discussed the Republic Act 10165 and its implementing Rules and Regulations. As a backgrounder, the Republic Act 10165 adheres to the policy of the State to provide every child who is neglected, abused, surrendered, under sociocultural difficulties, abused, or with special needs with an alternative family that will provide love and care as well as opportunities for growth and development. It was recently signed into law last June 11, 2012.

Nonetheless, Ms. Plata also shared with the participants some known personalities who have engaged in foster care and have consequently become adoptive families.

In MiMaRoPa, there are 100 licensed foster families. To date, there are 56 children who are under the care of licensed foster parents.