Tenth Congress
Republic Act No. 8552
February 25, 1998
AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE RULES AND POLICIES ON THE DOMESTIC ADOPTION OF
FILIPINO CHILDREN AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
ARTICLE I
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the "Domestic Adoption Act of 1998."
Section 2. Declaration of Policies. – (a) It is hereby declared the policy of the State to ensure that
every child remains under the care and custody of his/her parent(s) and be provided with love, care,
understanding and security towards the full and harmonious development of his/her personality. Only
when such efforts prove insufficient and no appropriate placement or adoption within the child's
extended family is available shall adoption by an unrelated person be considered.
(b) In all matters relating to the care, custody and adoption of a child, his/her interest shall be the
paramount consideration in accordance with the tenets set forth in the United Nations (UN) Convention
on the Rights of the Child; UN Declaration on Social and Legal Principles Relating to the Protection and
Welfare of Children with Special Reference to Foster Placement and Adoption, Nationally and
Internationally; and the Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect of
Intercountry Adoption. Toward this end, the State shall provide alternative protection and assistance
through foster care or adoption for every child who is neglected, orphaned, or abandoned.
(c) It shall also be a State policy to:
(i) Safeguard the biological parent(s) from making hurried decisions to relinquish his/her
parental authority over his/her child;
(ii) Prevent the child from unnecessary separation from his/her biological parent(s);
(iii) Protect adoptive parent(s) from attempts to disturb his/her parental authority and
custody over his/her adopted child.
Any voluntary or involuntary termination of parental authority shall be administratively or
judicially declared so as to establish the status of the child as "legally available for
adoption" and his/her custody transferred to the Department of Social Welfare and
Development or to any duly licensed and accredited child-placing or child-caring
agency, which entity shall be authorized to take steps for the permanent placement of
the child;
(iv) Conduct public information and educational campaigns to promote a positive
environment for adoption;