SENATOR Grace Poe said that no Filipino child should be denied the love and support of a family as she welcomed the finalization of the implementing rules and regulations of the Domestic Administrative Adoption and Alternative Child Care Act or Republic Act 11642.

“This is a milestone in our shared aspiration to ensure the best interest and future of our children,” Poe, co-author and co-sponsor of the landmark law, said.

“By simplifying the process of adoption while according utmost protection for the child, we strengthen the ties that bind deserving parents and children longing for a home,” she added.

Effective 15 days after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation or in the Official Gazette, the IRR is expected to prop collaborative efforts for the highest welfare of Filipino children in pursuit of the law.

RA 11642 provides simpler and inexpensive adoption proceedings and streamlines services for alternative child care.

“By removing the judicial phase, we have shortened the procedure, making it less tedious and less costly. By creating an adequately staffed one-stop shop on alternative child care, all applications will be handled more efficiently and effectively,” Poe said.

The senator acknowledged the efforts of fellow co-authors and co-sponsors particularly Senators Risa Hontiveros and Pia Cayetano and Representative Yedda Marie Romualdez; the executive department led by the Department of Social Welfare and Development; non-government organizations and academic institutions led by the University of the Philippines Law Center, which crafted the IRR.

She urged the National Authority for Child Care and concerned agencies to guarantee the best interest of Filipino children.

“Adopting a child may not change the world, but it will certainly change the world for that child,” Poe said.