You Don’t Need to Be Married to Adopt a Child in the Philippines
ADOPT – A growing number of Filipinos are discovering that love and commitment matter more than marital status when it comes to adoption.
The National Authority for Child Care (NACC) is encouraging Filipinos to broaden their understanding of what constitutes a family, emphasizing that adoption is not limited to married couples. As part of the celebration of Adoption and Alternative Child Care Week (AACCW), the agency reiterated that qualified single parents and members of the LGBTQIA+ community are also eligible to legally adopt children.
During a press conference held on June 9, NACC Undersecretary Maria Gabriela Concepcion stressed the importance of recognizing that families are built not only through blood relations but also through love, care, and commitment. According to the agency, a nurturing and secure environment is what truly matters in providing a child with a meaningful family life.
“Love is expressed in many ways, through words, time, acts of service, gifts, and physical presence. But beyond these, choosing to go through legal adoption and foster care is also an expression of love,” said Usec. Concepcion.
She further explained, “It is not only a legal process of building a family. It is a conscious decision to give a child safety, stability, and a permanent sense of belonging.”
Carrying the theme “Love Makes a Family,” the NACC highlighted various pathways to family formation, including legal adoption and foster care. One of the key programs featured was Solo Parent Adoption, which allows qualified individuals to adopt children even if they are not married. Eligible applicants include single persons, solo parents, and qualified members of the LGBTQIA+ community, in accordance with existing laws.
The agency emphasized that the most important consideration in adoption is not a person’s relationship status but their ability to provide a safe, stable, and supportive home for a child. While there have already been 326 Solo Parent Adoption cases, the NACC acknowledged that many Filipinos remain unaware of this legal option.
The NACC also warned the public against the growing issue of online baby selling and illegal adoption schemes circulating on social media and other digital platforms. The agency underscored the importance of following legal adoption procedures to protect children from trafficking and exploitation.
Ultimately, the NACC hopes to reshape public perceptions of adoption and inspire more qualified individuals to open both their homes and hearts to children in need of permanent families.
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