The National Authority for Child Care (NACC) on Thursday urged parents who are unable or unwilling to care for their child to approach proper authorities and legally present the child for adoption.

Assistant Secretary Rowena Macalintal of the NACC delivered the message during the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s weekly Media Forum at the DSWD Central Office in Batasan Pambansa, Quezon City.

Macalintal said that based on information from the Philippine National Police, authorities have launched 20 entrapment operations nationwide against online baby selling, seven of which were conducted this year alone.

She added that the NACC has coordinated with various agencies to take down social media posts advertising the sale of children.

“Dati kasi pag tinignan mo sa Facebook 'babies for sale' 'online adoption' ang dami na talagang maglalabasan eh, kaya way back in 2023 nag flag kami ng 25 Facebook sites,” revealed Macalintal.

She said the NACC is also working closely with the PNP, noting that some sites are subject to active entrapment operations.

Macalintal urged parents to seek assistance from agencies such as the DSWD, NACC and other social welfare offices instead of turning to social media platforms to find adoptive families.

She warned that parents who resort to such means, as well as individuals attempting to adopt children through informal arrangements, may face criminal charges. She explained that even adoption papers or birth certificates secured through these methods would not be considered valid.

Such cases are classified as “simulated birth certificates” and are punishable under the Revised Penal Code with imprisonment ranging from eight to 10 years.

Under Republic Act 11222, simulation of birth refers to the false registration of a child with the intent of registering the child under a woman who is not the biological mother.

The law also provides relief, allowing individuals with simulated birth certificates issued before March 29, 2019 to apply for amnesty.

Macalintal called on individuals with simulated birth records to legalize their status through the proper process before the 29 March 2029 deadline.