Secretary Jeremiah Belgica (File photo)
MANILA – 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, director general of ARTA, said they would also tap other concerned agencies to amend the guidelines.
This was after it was found that there are no clear guidelines on obtaining a Certificate of Foundling for adults.
Adult foundlings are not covered by Republic Act 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 July 15, 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 would be the same ones deployed to their offices when the foundling becomes mature.
One suggestion during the meeting was for two disinterested persons or institutions, for instance, the church or school, to provide an affidavit pending the other requirements in the application for Certificate of Foundling.
The DSWD said it would also issue the child profile and submit its findings to the PSA for adult foundlings. (PR)
