Law
Kkpp Department Order No. 09, S. 1995
Decision Date
Apr 17, 1995
The "Ninong-Ninang sa Bawat Linggo Project" aims to provide temporary family experiences for abandoned and neglected children in DSWD institutions by matching them with volunteer godparents, fostering a sense of family life while promoting public awareness and support for alternative family care.
child welfare
foster care
family law

Legal rationale and controlling framework

  • The guidelines are anchored on the Child and Youth Welfare Code, which provides every child the right to a wholesome family life and substitute home for dependent or abandoned children.
  • The guidelines implement the principle that assignment of the child to a foster home shall be preferred to institutional care.
  • The guidelines follow the rule that no child below nine years of age shall be placed in an institution unless absolutely necessary.
  • The guidelines follow the rule that an older child may be taken into an institution for child care if a thorough social case study indicates benefit to the child.
  • The guidelines are framed around substitute care through foster-family style arrangements, while recognizing existing DSWD residential and child-caring mechanisms.

Project purpose and policy intent

  • The project is designed to develop a pool of “Ninong/Ninangs” (Godparents) to serve as weekend foster parents for children served in DSWD institutions.
  • The project provides children in DSWD institutions an opportunity to experience family life on a temporary basis.
  • The project aims to inform the public about alternative family care for abandoned and neglected children.
  • The project aims to generate public support for care and attention to abandoned and neglected children staying in DSWD institutions.
  • The project is structured as a pilot in the National Capital Region between DSWD and ZNN Radio Veritas, with a one-year evaluation.

Target beneficiaries and participation rules

  • The project covers children served in DSWD institutions in the National Capital Region, namely RSCC, Lingap Center, and Nayon ng Kabataan.
  • The project covers abandoned and neglected children in those institutions ages 3 to 17 years old.
  • The project excludes children with pending cases or subject for litigation in court such as children sexually and physically abused, victims of pornography, pedophiles, prostitution, and child labor.
  • The project excludes children under the protective custody of DSWD in the same case categories identified for litigation such as those described for sexually and physically abused children and related categories.
  • The project excludes children with behavioral problems assessed by social workers as violent or emotionally disturbed when the assessment indicates they would not benefit from the project.

Consent and eligibility for dependent children

  • For dependent children, participation requires that consent of the biological parent/s be sought.

Foster family pool, eligibility, and encouraged involvement

  • Married couples and any individual 25 years and above may apply as ninong/ninang.
  • Applicants must show a genuine interest in parenting a non-related child.
  • Applicants must demonstrate capability in caring for and handling children with problems.
  • Applicants must maintain a healthy/harmonious relationship with each family member.
  • Applicants must have good moral character and emotional maturity.
  • Applicants must have good physical and mental health.
  • Applicants must have sufficient income to meet the basic needs of the family.
  • The guidelines encourage involvement of licensed foster families, local adoptive families, DSWD officials/employees, and civic organization.

Application, screening, forums, and approval

  • Application forms are available at:
    • ZNN Radio Veritas Office, Center Point, Bldg. J. Vasco Street, Pasig, Metro Manila, Tel. No. 635-25-21.
    • Bureau of Child and Youth Welfare, Batasan Pambansa, Quezon City, Tel. No. 931-8144, 931-81-01 to 07 loc. 25.
    • DSWD- Child Placement Center, National Capital Region, 389 San Rafael St., Legarda, Manila, Tel. Nos. 741-10-51/741-10-54.
  • Completed application forms are forwarded to DSWD-NCR for review.
  • Assessment is conducted within five (5) days, including an interview and a homevisit 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 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. by the NCR Child Welfare Specialist.
  • The forum begins with orientation of applicants and addresses questions about the project, and continues as a series of sessions to strengthen and maintain and increase the number of ninangs and ninongs.
  • The forum’s suggested topics include Child Rearing, Caring for a Non-Related Child, and Parent Effectiveness.
  • The CPC Social Worker conducts a homevisit and prepares a homestudy indicating a recommendation to the Field Director for approval/disapproval.
  • The homestudy may use the guidelines in preparing a homestudy from pages 22–25 of the Self-Instructional Manual on Adoption.
  • If applicants are disqualified for reasons such as motivation, family members sick of a contagious disease, or biological children not willing to care for a child, the social worker informs them of disapproval and explains the reasons.
  • If applicants remain interested despite findings, the social worker helps the family comply with unmet requirements.
  • CPC social workers forward to DSWD institutions the profile of ninangs/ninongs showing:
    • child preference,
    • number of children they wish to care for, and
    • the type of children recommended, based on the social worker’s assessment and duly approved by the NCR Field Office Director.

Child matching and placement logistics

  • The social worker of the institution matches the child to a ninong/ninang who meets the child’s needs.
  • Matching must consider preferences of approved applicants while prioritizing the child’s needs.
  • Approved applicants are encouraged to meet their child at the institution.
  • Prior to placement, the social worker prepares the child for the meeting, including the duration of stay.
  • Weekend arrangements require the center social worker to inform the child of the arrangements that may be either:
    • The child is picked up on Saturday or Sunday morning and returned to the institutions at 5:00 p.m. the same day; or
    • The child is picked up in the morning of Saturday and returned to the institution at 5:00 p.m. of Sunday.
  • Ninongs and ninangs sign an out-on-pass slip prepared by the social worker indicating the day and time the child was received and the time the child was returned.
  • The out-on-pass slip also requires acknowledgment of responsibilities as substitute parents for the weekend, including:
    • fetching the child from the center and returning the child as stated on the out-on-pass slip,
    • treating the child as a member of the family, and
    • accountability for the child’s safety and protection when bringing the child on picnics/outings inside or outside Metro Manila.
  • Picture taking is encouraged for documentation.
  • No child is placed with the same ninong and ninang more than one (1) weekend to allow other children to experience family life with more families and allow the ninong/ninang to share with more children.
  • Approved ninongs/ninangs may take care of not more than five (5) children during the weekend period, depending on capability.

Separation handling and support sessions

  • The social worker or designated staff of the institution is available at the institution to receive the children when they return.
  • A brief description of the children’s physical and emotional state is indicated on the out-on-pass slip.
  • The social worker processes the children’s experiences to explore their feelings so the experience becomes an opportunity for learning.
  • The NCR Child Welfare Specialist conducts group sessions for ninong/ninang, including identifying problems and solutions.

Networking and role assignments

  • Continuous collaboration and coordination among ZNN Radio Veritas, DSWD-NCR, DSWD-PALS, and BCYW ensure effective networking and referral system for the project’s success.

Department of Social Welfare and Development (BCYW)

  • BCYW prepares the project proposal, guidelines and procedures, and reporting forms for the Ninong-Ninang sa Bawat Linggo Project.
  • BCYW provides technical assistance to DSWD-NCR in project implementation.
  • BCYW conducts monitoring and supervision of the project.
  • BCYW provides PALS with monthly reports from NCR on project implementation.

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-NCR)

  • DSWD-NCR conducts regular weekly forum and individual/group orientation.
  • DSWD-NCR conducts home visits and prepares home studies of applicants and related activities to assess and orient prospective applicants who may become adoptive or licensed foster families.
  • DSWD-NCR prepares both children and ninongs/ninangs and institution staff on the project.
  • DSWD-NCR provides BCYW with monthly reports on the project.

Public Affairs and Liason Services

  • Public Affairs and Liason Services provides ZNN Radio Veritas with information materials and other necessary reports and assists in media promotion and publicity.
  • Public Affairs and Liason Services develops posters, brochures, decals, and other IEC materials.
  • Public Affairs and Liason Services documents activities relative to implementation.

ZNN Radio Veritas

  • ZNN Radio Veritas serves as the exclusive carrying station of the project.
  • ZNN Radio Veritas provides promotions and publicity support, including production and airing of plugs and announcements, without requiring any financial obligation from DSWD.
  • ZNN Radio Veritas coordinates with member stations of the Federation of the Catholic Broadcasters whenever necessary to ensure project success.
  • ZNN Radio Veritas assists DSWD in orientation and administering questionnaires to prospective applicants at the ZNN Radio Veritas office.

Launch, evaluation cycle, and recordkeeping

  • The project launch is done by the DSWD Secretary and ZNN Radio Veritas President on February 13, 1995 at ZNN Radio Veritas, the exclusive carrying station.
  • Licensed foster families participate by sharing experiences as foster parents to less disadvantaged children.
  • Evaluation occurs after one year, and if found effective the project is expanded to other Field Offices and NGOs.
  • Monitoring and evaluation determine the efficiency and effectiveness of the project with levels of evaluation:
    • Level I for the clients,
    • Level II for the ninong/ninang, and
    • Level III for workers of the institution.
  • Bureau SWO III conducts monitoring and evaluation through assessment via reports and visits to institutions and via reports from institution staff.
  • Monitoring includes reviewing records of ninongs/ninangs and children served, problems encountered, and actions taken by Field Office/social workers of the CPC and DSWD institutions.
  • Institution social workers monitor progress of children and the ninongs/ninangs regularly in coordination with the Field Office Child Welfare Specialist.
  • Problems of ninongs/ninangs are referred to CPC social workers.
  • A statistical and narrative reporting system is established and forwarded to the Bureau by the Field Office monthly.
  • The Bureau prepares a monthly report to the Secretary on program implementation.
  • The Bureau maintains a data-bank of approved ninongs and ninangs and children served.

Compliance mandate

  • The guidelines are adopted for implementation under the compliance framework of KKPP Department Order No. 09, s. 1995, adopted on 17 April 1995 by LINA B. LAIGO, Acting Secretary.

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