LEGAZPI CITY --- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) regional office here is reminding parents planning to adopt a child not to engage in the birth simulation practice.
Marion Taduran, DSWD social welfare officer, in an interview here on Thursday said, “simulation of birth is a crime”.
“We recommend legalizing the adoption of a child since we want to protect the best interest of the child. Simulation of birth will cause the child to lose his or her true identity and status and the privilege of the protection of their rights,” she added.
Taduran said simulation of birth refers to cases wherein a child’s record is tampered to make it appear that he/she was born to someone other than his/her biological mother.
She added that any person who shall cause the fictitious registration of the birth of a child under the name of a person who is not her/his biological parents shall be guilty of simulation of birth and could face imprisonment from six to 12 years and pay a fine of not less than PHP50,000 but not more than PHP200,000.
Asked if there are cases of simulation of birth in the region, Taduran said “we don’t have cases here since all our clients have the intent to adopt the child legally”.
She added, however, that they expect cases to surface once the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 11222, the “Simulated Birth Rectification Act", is released within this year.
“With the new law, it grants an amnesty to the adoptive parents from any criminal liability if they express intent to legalize the adoption and to correct the simulated birth of the child.
Based on public consultations, the amnesty covers simulated birth up to March 29, 2019.
“With this law, the rights, status and filiation of a child will be fixed and grants the benefits of adoption,” Taduran said.
DSWD-Bicol is continuously encouraging couples, who are considering child adoption, to undergo the legal procedures.
This year, the agency has 24 children legally available for adoption. (PNA)
