Cyclists, runners call for children’s hope

Over 6,300 cyclists and runners participated in the third BISIG-Kleta and Fun Run for a Cause, a nationwide event organized by the National Authority for Child Care (NACC) as part of Philippine Adoption and Alternative Child Care Week.

More than 1,100 individuals joined the National Capital Region’s BISIG-Kleta and Fun Run in Ermita, Manila on Sunday. An estimated 5,200 others participated in simultaneous events held across the country beginning Saturday, with support from various local government units.

Under the theme “Hope and Home for Every Child,” the NACC is urging the public to consider providing a nurturing environment for children in need of administrative adoption, foster care, or other forms of alternative child care.

“The success of BISIG-Kleta proves that nothing we do for children is ever wasted,” said NACC Undersecretary Janella Ejercito Estrada. “By coming together, we highlight the need to collectively respond to every child’s right to have a fair chance to realize his/her dreams. Having a safe and permanent family is a fresh start for every child who has been abandoned, neglected, dependent, surrendered, foundling, orphaned, abused and exploited.”

Estrada added that the event also aims to raise public awareness about the benefits of administrative adoption, which she described as simpler, faster and less costly through the NACC and its Regional Alternative Child Care Offices nationwide.

Philippine Adoption and Alternative Child Care Week, observed annually during the second week of June, advocates for legal adoption and alternative child care for Filipino children seeking stable and loving family environments.

The observance is mandated by Republic Act (RA) 11642, or the “Domestic Administrative Adoption and Alternative Child Care Act.”

Throughout June, the NACC and its 16 Regional Alternative Child Care Offices (RACCOs) are conducting a series of nationwide events, including BISIG-Kleta, fun runs, adoption and foster care forums, and help desks, to gather families, support groups, and child welfare experts.

AACCW 2025 also includes a campaign to combat all forms of illegal adoption, such as independent placements and “online baby selling.”

“The streamlined administrative processes are incentive enough for adoptive and licensed foster care parents to go through the legal channels,” Estrada said. “Everything has been made easy for them to ensure that their adoption and foster care journey are successful, no hassle, less costly, and done in the best interest of the child.”

The NACC, a quasi-judicial agency under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) established by RA 11642, is responsible for all matters related to declaring a child legally available for adoption, domestic adoption, inter-country adoption and other alternative child care forms.

Since its establishment, the NACC has issued 1,063 Orders of Adoption for domestic adoption and entrusted 418 children for inter-country adoption. Additionally, 1,075 children are currently under the Philippine Foster Care Program.

As of 13 June 2025, the NACC has developed 1,997 adoptive and foster care families.

Last year, the NACC partnered with 89 local government units in the first National Congress on Adoption and Alternative Child Care. These LGUs are responsible for developing additional adoptive and foster care parents and providing basic social services to adoptive and foster care families.