Looking at 9-year old Joana (not her real name) now, one would never guess that she went through a traumatic experience two years ago. Her cheerful-aura is a complete opposite of the child who was very quiet, reserved and traumatized when she was brought by her teacher to the Romblon Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office in 2011.
In an interview with Joana, it was found out that she was physically abused by her own grandmother who took her in custody following her parents’ separation. Joana was taken away from her grandmother and stayed with licensed foster parents in Romblon.

The foster parents welcomed and treated Joana as part of their family. Even the couple’s two kids helped Joana cope with the painful experience as well as the changes in her life.

During her first month with her foster parents, Joana was not receptive of their kindness, but the family continued to reach out to her. Eventually, Joanna began to reciprocate their show of love.

“Kung ano ang ginagawa ng mga anak naming ay yan din ang ginagawa niya gaya ng pagmamano at paghalik pag-umaalis at dumadating kaming mag-asawa sa bahay. (Joana behaves like our own child, she shows gestures of respect and kisses us every time we arrive and leave the house),” says the foster father.

Today, Joana feels she is now part of the family. She said she never felt love until her foster parents took her into their home. She thanked them for helping her to get where she is today.

“Nararamdaman ko po na mahal ako ng pamilyang tinitirhan ko at kabilang na ako sa pamilya nila at nararamdaman ko na may tatay at nanay po ako. (They loved and accepted me as their own daughter of the family. They are like my real parents),” she said.

Foster Care: A home for every child

Joana was given a new lease on life through the Foster Care Service. The DSWD has been implementing this service as part of its Alternative Parental Care Program for children.

Foster care is a full-time ancillary care of children outside their own home by people other than their biological or adoptive parents or legal guardian. In foster care cases, the child’s biological or adoptive parents, or other legal guardians, temporarily give up legal custody of the child. A child may be placed in foster care with the parents’ consent. In a clear case of abuse or neglect, a court can order a child into foster care without the parents’ or guardians’ consent.

“Foster care is better than institutional care or growing up in a center or an institution without mother and father figures. This is why we are encouraging more couples or qualified individuals to become foster parents. ”DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman pointed out.

As of June 2013, there are 839 foster parents nationwide while 698 children were placed for foster care.

“Social workers would first determine the capacity and motivation of applicant-foster parents. Then, qualified foster parents, after receiving their licenses, would undergo a matching process supervised by DSWD-accredited institutions,” Secretary Soliman added.

Foster care does not necessarily mean care by strangers. If a government agency decides a child must be removed from the home, the child may be placed with relatives or a licensed foster parent.

Foster placements may last for a single day or several weeks; some continue for years. If the parents give up their rights permanently, or their rights to their child are severed by the court, the foster family may adopt the foster child or the child may be placed either through domestic or inter-country adoption.

A foster child with special needs will receive monthly subsidy of P 3,000 pesos and P 2, 500 pesos for a foster child without special needs from DSWD and will automatically become a Philhealth beneficiary of the foster parent.

On the other hand, foster parents will be provided with support care services such as counseling, training on child care and development, respite care, skills training and livelihood assistance. Foster parents will be entitled to personal tax exemption and additional exemption for dependents.

Those who wish to become a foster parent must be, of legal age; at least sixteen (16) years older than the child unless the foster parent is a relative; must have a genuine interest, capacity, and commitment in parenting, and provide a familial atmosphere for the child; must have a healthy and harmonious relationship with each family member living with him or her; of good moral character; physically and mentally capable and emotionally mature; have sufficient resources to provide for the family’s needs; willing to further hone or be trained on knowledge, attitudes, and skills in caring for a child; and must not already have the maximum number of children under his foster care at the time of application or award.

Letting Go

According to another licensed foster parents, the hardest part of being foster parents is letting go. It is not so much of supporting and bringing up the child but the emotional attachment that goes with it.

The foster parents mentioned that they already had three school-aged children when then three-year old “Angelo” came into their life in 2010. The whole family was drawn to the innocence and energy of Angelo. The little boy had adjusted quite nicely and is a happy, healthy, and well-mannered child. For three years, they have grown to love the child as their own though they knew that Angelo will someday have a family that will legally adopt him.

The time came too soon. They were informed by the social worker that a couple from Spain will soon adopt Angelo. They let go of Angelo, no matter how difficult it was.

The foster parents continue to be supportive to the foster care program of DSWD. They are once again the proud foster parents of another child. The couple said that they do not feel complete knowing that there are children out there who are waiting for families and who need love and support which their own families cannot give. ###