The National Authority for Child Care (NACC) announced Saturday that it has signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with 46 cities and municipalities from Region 8 in two separate events in Ormoc City and Palo, Leyte on 12 and 13 November 2025.

From Leyte Province alone, 36 LGUs have partnered with the NACC, while 10 are from nearby provinces in the region. The partnership will strengthen the implementation of domestic administrative adoption, foster care, and other forms of alternative child care for abandoned, neglected, foundlings, orphaned, surrendered, abused, or exploited children.

The NACC-LGU Partnership (NLP) for administrative adoption and alternative child care is a strategy to strengthen these programs, with LGUs serving as 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 children in need of permanent and loving families,” NACC Undersecretary Janella Ejercito Estrada said.

“It also signifies our united vision to strengthen adoption and foster care to ensure that no child is left behind. We commit to making all means necessary available, so that when a child loses parental authority, the option of adoption and/or foster care is readily accessible, and families and communities are prepared to provide love and care,” she added.

Regional Alternative Child Care Office Eastern Visayas OIC Josamae Sedillo said, “This collaboration marks a significant milestone in our continuous effort to strengthen local implementation of adoption and alternative child care programs. Through the active support of our local officials and the dedication of our social workers, we affirm that no child will be left without the hope of a family and a future.”

About 56 children declared legally available for adoption in the region are expected to benefit from the partnership. As of 11 November 2025, 29 children were placed with their forever families, 53 children are under the care of licensed foster parents, and a total of 343 children have been provided with adoption and alternative child care programs and services since 2023.

Under the partnership, LGUs, through their Local Social Welfare Development Offices (LSWDOs), will develop a pool of licensed and trained foster parents, facilitate 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 RACCO Eastern Visayas, will provide technical assistance and capacity-building, ensuring petitions are processed within prescribed timelines. In partnership with accredited Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) practitioners in the Philippines, the NACC will conduct TBRI trainings to address the complex needs of vulnerable children who have experienced neglect, abuse, or early-age trauma, providing a safe and nurturing environment for emotional healing.

Previously, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) adopted adoption and foster care as part of the sub-indicators in the Child-Friendly Local Governance Audit (CFLGA).