Manila: The nationwide 3rd Bisig-kleta and Fun Run for a Cause successfully attracted 6,300 cyclists and runners as part of the National Authority for Child Care's (NACC) initiative to celebrate Adoption and Alternative Child Care Week (AACCW).
According to Philippines News Agency, NACC reported that more than 1,100 participants took part in the National Capital Region's event in Ermita, Manila. The remaining 5,200 participants joined simultaneous events across various locations in the country on Saturday, supported by local government units.
Themed 'Hope and Home for Every Child,' the weekend event aimed to encourage the public to open their hearts and homes to children in need. NACC Undersecretary Janella Estrada highlighted the importance of such initiatives, stating that they emphasize the need for collective action to ensure every child has a fair chance to realize their dreams with the support of a safe and permanent family.
The event also sought to raise public awareness on the benefits of simpler, faster, and less costly administrative adoption through NACC and its Regional Alternative Child Care Offices (RACCOs) nationwide. Republic Act 11642 designates the second week of June annually for the observance of AACCW, promoting legal adoption and alternative childcare for Filipino children.
In addition to the cycling and running events, NACC and its 16 RACCOs conducted activities supporting the fight against illegal adoption practices, including independent placements and online baby selling. Estrada emphasized that streamlined administrative processes now encourage legal adoption and foster care, making it easier and more cost-effective for prospective adoptive and foster parents.
Since its establishment in June 2022, NACC has issued 1,063 domestic adoption orders and facilitated 418 inter-country adoptions. NACC has also developed 1,997 adoptive and foster care families, with 1,075 children being cared for under the Philippine Foster Care Program.
Last year's 1st National Congress on Adoption and Alternative Child Care saw NACC partnering with 89 local government units to develop additional adoptive and foster care families and provide basic social services to these families.