13/05/2026
๐๐ผ ๐ป๐ผ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฏ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ๐ผ๐ป ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐๐ฒ๐น๐น ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐ฐ๐ต๐ถ๐น๐ฑ โ ๐๐๐ฟ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐บ ๐น๐ฒ๐ด๐ฎ๐น๐น๐ ๐ถ๐ป๐๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฑ
The National Authority for Child Care (NACC) appeals to parents facing extreme personal, social, or economic difficulties to choose the legal process of voluntary surrender instead of abandonment.
โAbandoning a child endangers their life, and deprives them of their right to identity, protection, and belonging,โ said NACC Undersecretary Janella Ejercito Estrada.
The agency emphasized that while the biological family remains the childโs foremost and natural carer, the government has established a humane and legal system that protects children whose parents are no longer capable of providing proper care due to extreme circumstances.
Under Republic Act No. 11767 or the Foundling Recognition and Protection Act, foundlings are automatically recognized as natural-born Filipino citizens and are entitled to government protection and assistance, including access to birth registration, health services, and family-based care options such as adoption and foster care.
Since 2023, the NACC has already assisted hundreds of foundlings nationwide through adoption and alternative child care programs and services. Hundreds of children have likewise been declared legally available for adoption, placed under foster care, or matched with permanent families through domestic and inter-country adoption.
The NACC strongly discourages abandonment, illegal adoption arrangements, and acts that may expose children to trafficking, exploitation, and abuse.
Parents who wish to voluntarily surrender their child may seek assistance from:
โข Municipal or City Social Welfare Offices
โข Residential Care Facilities
โข Child Caring or Child Placing Agencies
โข DOH-accredited medical facilities
โข NACC Regional Alternative Child Care Offices (RACCOs)
The agency also reminded the public to refrain from spreading misinformation and sensationalized social media content involving foundlings, stressing that such cases must be handled with utmost respect for the childโs dignity, privacy, and rights.
Individuals who deliberately create or spread false information may face liability under the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 and other applicable laws.
For inquiries regarding voluntary surrender, adoption, or foster care, contact the NACC or the nearest RACCO nationwide:
๐ +632 8726-4568
๐ฑ +63 917 322 6222
๐ง [email protected]
๐www.nacc.gov.ph