ILOILO City – The Regional Alternative Child Care Office (RACCO) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Western Visayas aims to eliminate the practice of simulating birth records, and ensure that affected children are given the legal status and family environment they deserve.
It is thus intensifying its campaign to rectify simulated birth records based on Republic Act (RA) No. 11222, also known as the Simulated Birth Rectification Act, which aims to address the illegal practice of simulating birth records and provide a legal framework for rectification and adoption.
Campaign for Rectification
RA 11222 was enacted to tackle the widespread issue of simulated birth records, where civil registry documents are falsified to show a child as born to individuals who are not their biological parents.
This practice not only alters the child’s identity but also affects their legal status, said Atty. Flora May Alejandro, the legal officer of RACCO Region 6.
The campaign focuses on raising awareness and encouraging affected individuals to come forward and rectify these records legally.
The law’s primary objectives are:
* offering amnesty to individuals who have simulated birth records of a child
* rectifying the legal status and parentage of affected children
* exempting those who simulated birth records before the law’s effectivity from criminal, civil, and administrative liability, provided they file a petition for adoption with rectification within 10 years from the law’s effectivity
* facilitating a simpler and more affordable administrative adoption process for children who have lived with the individuals who simulated their birth records for at least three years before the law’s effectivity
Legal Implications and Specific Cases
Alejandro said simulating a birth record involves serious legal consequences, as it falsifies official documents. RA 11222 addresses these issues by providing a legal pathway for rectification and ensuring the welfare of affected children through formal adoption.
The law covers various scenarios for administrative adoption, including non-relative children, relative children within the fourth degree of affinity or consanguinity, and adults treated as children since birth or minority.
Since the enactment of RA 11222 in March 2019, RACCO-6 has recorded 35 petitions for rectifying simulated birth records. The distribution of these petitions across Western Visayas includes Aklan (three), Antique (three), Capiz (five), Guimaras (five), Iloilo (10), and Negros Occidental (three).
Alejandro said their campaign ensures that children affected by simulated birth records receive proper legal recognition and care.
Fixing the status and filiation of these children, she said, would provide them with a stable and loving family environment.
RACCO-6 urges individuals who have simulated birth records or know someone affected by this issue to visit their office.
The office provides guidance on the necessary procedures and documentation required for rectification and adoption.
By coming forward, individuals can help secure the legal rights and welfare of children involved in simulated birth cases, said Alejandro./PN
