Dubbed “Pasasalamat,” the week-long series of advocacy activities aimed to promote a positive environment for adoption in line with the implementation of Republic Act No. 11642 or the “Domestic Administrative Adoption and Alternative Child Care Act.”

A mass was offered followed by a program participated in by the partner agencies and stakeholders of the RACCO 6 and the members of the foster and adoptive parents group in the region.

In his welcome remarks, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 6 Regional Director lawyer Carmelo N. Nochete cited the recent development with the streamlining of the processes of legally adopting children and emphasized the value of adoption in giving children a better life.

Meanwhile, foster parents, Rommel and Julie Macanda, shared their journey of having an eight-year-old foster child under their care. The couple emphasized the value of being home to children who pray to have parents, and the same with parents praying to have children.

“Foster care is something that we have not done before. But we are grateful for the support of DSWD, now RACCO, with the crash courses and trainings right here and there. It really helped us prepare along the way,” the Macanda couple said.

Capping the program, RACCO 6 Officer-in-Charge Janice J. Brasileño acknowledged the support of all stakeholders and led the signing of the pledge of commitment to promoting a positive environment for adoption.