It cites Article 68 of the Child and Youth Welfare Code: a foster home assignment should be preferred to institutional care, and no child below nine years of age should be placed in an institution unless absolutely necessary. Older children may be placed in institutions if a thorough social case study shows it benefits them more.

To provide opportunities for children in DSWD institutions to experience family life on a temporary basis.

DSWD units (Bureau of Child and Youth Welfare, DSWD-NCR, Public Affairs/Liaison Services, DSWD-PALS/mentioned as PALS), and ZNN Radio Veritas (exclusive carrying station), with coordination and networking also extended to other Field Offices and NGOs if expanded.

In the pilot area (National Capital Region), children ages 3 to 17 years old in RSCC, Lingap Center, and Nayon ng Kabataan may participate, subject to exclusions.

Excluded are: (1) children with pending court cases or subject for litigation (e.g., sexually/physically abused, victims of pornography, pedophiles, prostitution, child labor); (2) those under DSWD protective custody involving the same cases; and (3) children with behavioral problems assessed to be violent or emotionally disturbed who would not benefit from the project.

For dependent children, consent of their biological parent/s shall be sought to enable participation.

A married couple or any individual 25 years and above may apply as ninong/ninang.

They must have: (a) genuine interest in parenting a non-related child; (b) capability in caring for and handling children with problems; (c) healthy/harmonious relationship in the family; (d) good moral character and emotional maturity; (e) good physical and mental health; and (f) sufficient income to meet basic needs.

They may get application forms at: (1) ZNN Radio Veritas Office, Center Point Building, J. Vasco Street, Pasig, Metro Manila; (2) Bureau of Child and Youth Welfare, Batasan Pambansa, Quezon City; and (3) DSWD-Child Placement Center, NCR, 389 San Rafael St., Legarda, Manila.

All properly filled forms are forwarded to DSWD-NCR for review. Assessment must be done within five (5) days, including an interview and home visit by DSWD-NCR social workers of the Child Placement Center.

A regular foster care forum is conducted at DSWD-NCR office every Friday from 4:00–5:00 p.m. by the NCR Child Welfare Specialist. Initially it serves as orientation and Q&A venue; then it becomes a series to strengthen/maintain and increase ninongs and ninangs, with topics such as child rearing and parent effectiveness.

The CPC Social Worker conducts a home visit and prepares a homestudy indicating recommendation to the Field Director for approval/disapproval, using the homestudy guidelines (noted as from an Adoption self-instructional manual). The social worker informs applicants of disqualification reasons and may help them comply with unmet requirements if they remain interested.

The social worker of the institution matches the child to a ninong/ninang who meets the child’s needs. While preferences of approved applicants are considered, priority is given to the needs of the child.

(1) The child may be picked up on Saturday or Sunday morning and returned to the institution at 5:00 p.m. the same day; or (2) the child may be picked up in the morning of Saturday and returned at 5:00 p.m. of Sunday.

An out-on-pass slip prepared by the institution social worker is signed by the ninong/ninang, indicating day/time received and to be returned. Responsibilities include: fetch the child from the center and return at the scheduled time; treat the child as a family member; and be accountable for the child’s safety and protection, especially during outings inside or outside Metro Manila.

As much as possible, no child shall be placed with the same ninong/ninang more than one (1) weekend to allow other children to experience family life with more families and to give ninong/ninang opportunities to share with more children.

Approved ninongs/ninangs may take care of not more than five (5) children during the period, depending on their capability.

The social worker or designated staff must always be available to receive the children upon return. The out-on-pass slip should include a brief description of the child’s physical and emotional state. The social worker processes the children’s experiences to explore feelings so the weekend becomes a learning opportunity.

Level I evaluates the clients (children), Level II evaluates the ninong/ninang, and Level III evaluates workers of the institution. Evaluation results serve as inputs for improved project implementation.