“Binago talaga ng DSWD ang pananaw ko sa adoption na dapat itrato ito ng maayos at seryoso. Ngayon, napakataas ng tingin ko sa adoption dahil nakita ko na mabusisi talaga ang proseso nito para na rin sa kapakanan ng bata (The DSWD adoption process has completely changed my perspective on adoption that it should be taken conscientiously and seriously. Now, I view adoption with high regard because the meticulous process  ensured the child’s best interest).”

Thus, shared Jason Baldueza, 44, from Pandacan,  Manila,  an adoptive father to  a 7-year old boy,  Jessie,  during the flag raising ceremony of the officials and employees of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Central Office in Batasan, Quezon City.

Jason who is a missionary of a Christian church, and his wife Jennifer, adopted Jessie six years ago after years of trying to have their own child. The adoption process lasted for six months.

 According to Jason  they experienced anxieties and fear as they waited for their adopted child to be turned over to them.

 “I must admit we had this feeling while we waited for Jessie. These thoughts are normal and can be overcome,” Jason expressed.

Jason and his wife began the process in June 2007 and found that their biggest fear was doubt. It was their first time to adopt a child and they were beset with questions such as, what would be the result of the matching, how would a legal adoption work, how long will we wait.

 “Ang pakiramdam ko noon ay para akong nakikipagkarera sa isang marathon na para bang kinakabahan ka kung kakayanin mo ba ‘tong matapos hanggang sa finish line… hanggang sa matapos ang proseso ng adoption  (I felt then that I was in a marathon race, nervous whether I am  going to make it to the finish line—or until the adoption process is finished),” he shared.

In 2008, a social worker called up Jason with wonderful news.  A six month-old baby boy was finally matched with the couple.

Matching is the judicious selection of a family for a child based on the child’s needs and in his/her best interest as well as the capability and commitment of the adoptive parents to provide such needs and promote a mutually satisfying parent-child relationship.

“Una pa lang na mahawakan ko si Baby Jessie ay komportable na ako,  pero iyong ‘attachment process’, mas matagal dahil  kailangan talagang gagawa ka muna ng relasyon mo sa bata. Kailangan talaga ng sapat na oras(The first time I held him in my arms, I felt comfortable,  but I can say that the ‘attachment process’ is longer because you have to build your relationship with the child. You need ample time to build that),” Jason said.

“Bilang adoptive parents,  dapat hands-on.  Kailangan, ikaw mismo ang magpapalit ng damit, magpapakain, magpapalit ng lampin, at magpapatulog sa kanya  (As adoptive parents, you should be hands-on in taking care of his needs like feeding him, changing his diapers and clothes, and putting him to sleep),” Jason said.

Showered with enough attention and love, Jessie grew up to be someone the Baldueza couple can be proud of.

Wherever they go, people who meet them adore the family especially Jessie because of his charm and antics.

 Jason was grateful to DSWD for the thorough process of adoption. He said that the Department really testsed them if they are capable and prepared to be parents through series of interviews and counseling.

DSWD continues to warn interested adoptive parents not to resort to simulation of birth certificate, since it is considered a crime.

 Simulation of birth certificate is the tampering of the civil registry so the adopting parents can have their names written as the parents on their children’s birth certificates.

 Under the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), a child has the right to his identity and should be given the opportunity to know his biological parent.

Jason narrated that the meticulous adoption process did not prevent them from going through it again.

The couple are about to become proud adoptive parents for  the second time. This time, to an 8-month old baby boy.

The matching process is already finished. The couple is just waiting for DSWD to relinquish the custody of the child to them.

 DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman  encourages interested adoptive parents to pursue legal adoption because aside from security it also promotes the best interest of the child.

Under the law, the process of legally adopting a child involves several steps such as application of interested parents, preparation of home study report, approval and disapproval of application, matching or family selection, pre-placement and placement of child, supervised trial custody, finalization of adoption, issuance of adoption decree and amended birth certificate, and conduct of post-adoptive services. This process would usually take six months to a year.

Prospective adoptive parents may call DSWD-Adoption Resource and Referral Unit (ARRU) at 734-8622 or contact accredited DSWD-licensed adoption agencies such as Kaisahang Buhay Foundation (KBF) at  912-1160 and Norfil Foundation at 372-3577. ###