ISABELA CITY, BASILAN – The City Government of Isabela City in Basilan signed a partnership agreement with the National Authority for Child Care (NACC) on November 18, 2025, at the Isabela City Hall.
The partnership will strengthen the implementation of administrative adoption, foster care, and other forms of alternative child care for abandoned, neglected, orphaned, surrendered, abused, or exploited children in the region.
The NACC- LGU partnership for administrative adoption and alternative child care is a strategy to strengthen the programs, with LGUs being the frontliners of public services.
“This MOA marks more than just a ceremonial exchange of signatures but represents a shared commitment to protect, nurture, and secure the future of the children in need of permanent and loving families,” said NACC Undersecretary Janella Ejercito Estrada in a statement.
“It also signifies our united vision to strengthen adoption and foster care to ensure that no child is left behind. Because we all commit to making all means necessary, that when a child loses parental authority, the option of adoption and/or foster care is readily made available for the child, and that a family and a community are prepared to provide love and care,” she explained.
“This partnership symbolizes our collective action and united vision in promoting the welfare and best interests of every child, said “Dr. Jaylyn DC Sahipa, OIC of the Regional Alternative Child Care Office – Zamboanga Peninsula (RACCO IX).
“With the presence and participation of Isabela City Government, we reinforce our shared commitment to identify, nurture and support the development of more prospective adoptive and foster parents here in Isabela City – parents and families who can provide the love, protection, stability, and a nurturing family environment they truly deserve,” she explained.
About 56 children declared legally available for adoption in the Region are expected to benefit the partnership. As of November 17, 37 children were issued an Order of Adoption and are now with 1 their forever family, while 8 children were entrusted with foreign adoptive parents. 34 children are under the care of licensed foster parents and a total of 125 children have been provided with adoption and alternative child care programs and services since 2023.
Under the partnership, the Isabela City through its Local Social Welfare Development Offices (LSWDOs), will develop a pool of licensed and trained foster parents, facilitate the conduct of Parenting Capability Assessment Reports, and assist in the preparation and filing of Petitions for Adoption, as well as Certification Declaring a Child Legally Available for Adoption (CDCLAA).
The NACC, through the Regional Alternative Child Care Office – Zamboanga Peninsula (RACCO IX), will provide technical assistance, capacity-building, and technical oversight on the processing of such Petitions within the prescribed timeline.
The trainings will also focus on Trust-Based, Relational Intervention (TBRI) that responds to the complex needs of vulnerable children who have suffered neglect, abuse, or early-age trauma. TBRI further provides children with a safe, nurturing environment where emotional healing can take place.
Previously, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) have adopted the NACC programs as sub-indicators in the Child-Friendly Local Governance Audit (CFLGA). (NACC/RACCO IX)
