QUEZON CITY -- The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) will assist the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) in amending the guidelines for securing a Certificate of Foundling for adults.

Secretary Jeremiah Belgica, ARTA Director General, said they will also tap other concerned agencies to amend the said guidelines.

This, after it was found that there are no clear guidelines for obtaining a Certificate of Foundling for adult foundlings.

Adult foundlings are not covered by Republic Act No. 9523, an act that requires the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to declare a child “legally available for adoption” and issue child profiles.

For adult foundlings, they must be recorded in the barangay or police blotter for certification purposes.

In a meeting on 15 July 2021, Belgica called this an “almost impossible requirement” as there is no way to be sure that the barangay or police officials who recorded the identity of the foundling will be the same ones deployed in their offices when the foundling becomes an adult.

One suggestion that came up during the meeting was for two disinterested persons or institutions, like the church or the school, to provide an affidavit pending the other requirements in the application for the Certificate of Foundling.

The DSWD said it will also issue the child profile and submit their findings to the PSA for adult foundlings. (ARTA)