As part of phase one of the development of the Martin James Foundation's Asia Care Network, comprehensive studies of the care system in each country were conducted to highlight the need for developing alternative care systems across South-East Asia. This case study highlights the relevant data from the Philippines.
According to the case study, the Child and Youth Welfare Code of 1972 states that institutional care should only be used in situations where there is no other family-based care situation available to the child. Under Article 68 of that Code, foster homes are the preferred method of alternative child care to institutionalization.
Child 21, a national framework that focuses on the development of a sustainable plan for improving the lives of children, indicates that the Filipino government is making a concerted effort to strengthen its commitment to the rights of the child.
Alternative Care Act, enacted July 2016, intends to institutionalize alternative family care for children as an option other than adoption and foster family care. 1,721 children in foster care in 2016 according to government statistics.
