The National Authority for Child Care (NACC) has sounded the alarm on the alarming rise of illegal adoptions being facilitated on social media, urging the public to reject all forms of illicit child placement and instead support legal means such as administrative adoption and foster care.

At a press conference on Tuesday, NACC Undersecretary Janella Ejercito Estrada revealed that at least 12 Facebook groups with over 200,000 followers are involved in so-called “online baby selling” — a practice that undermines the safety and well-being of children.

“There is no reason to resort to illegal adoption,” Estrada said. “All government programs and services on adoption and alternative child care have been made simpler, faster, and less costly. The NACC does not collect any fees related to adoption or foster care.”

Estrada emphasized that illegal adoptions can expose children to human trafficking, sexual abuse, child labor, and even organ harvesting. She called on prospective adoptive parents (PAPs) to be vigilant and refuse involvement in these schemes.

“Let this be a warning. Illegal adoption poses a threat against the welfare and safety of a child. A child may be trafficked for either sexual abuse or exploitation, child labor, or even organ harvesting. This is why we need the help of the public, especially Prospective Adoptive Parents (PAPs) to reject all forms of illegal adoption and curb “online baby selling,” Estrada stressed .

The NACC was established under Republic Act No. 11642 as a one-stop quasi-judicial agency attached to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). It has jurisdiction over domestic adoption, inter-country adoption, and other alternative care options, including kinship care, foster care, and residential care.

As part of its mandate, the NACC is leading the Philippine Adoption and Alternative Child Care Week (AACCW) celebrated annually every second week of June. The weeklong observance aims to raise awareness about the importance of legal adoption and the urgent need for loving, stable families for Filipino children in need.