Department of Social Welfare and Development(DSWD)

There was a tri-conference held between the following:

1. Mila Sampang, Social Worker, Caloocan City;
2. Janine Adamos, Social Worker, Foster Care, NCR
3. Mercy Pangilinan, Social Worker, RSCC, Quezon City

The conference was held in conjunction with foster kids - D. Villanueva and M. Marcelo for their status in the documentation for their adoption.

November 27, 2019

Dear Gilberto,

Thank you for your request dated Nov 25, 2019 under Executive Order No. 2 (s. 2016) on Freedom of Information in the Executive Branch, for Tri-Conference of DSWD Caloocan, NCR and RSCC.

We received your request on Nov 25, 2019 and will respond on or before Dec 16, 2019 10:45:47 AM, in accordance with the Executive Order's implementing rules and regulations.

Should you have any questions regarding your request, kindly contact me using the reply function on the eFOI portal at https://www.foi.gov.ph/requests/aglzfmVmb2ktcGhyHgsSB0NvbnRlbnQiEURTV0QtODg1MTc2MzQxNzc5DA, for request with ticket number #DSWD-885176341779.

Thank you.

Respectfully,

Myrna Reyes
FOI Officer

2 December 2019

Dear Mr. Gilberto Japgos,

Greetings!

Thank you for your request dated 25 November 2019 under Executive Order No. 2 (s. 2016) on Freedom of Information in the Executive Branch.

Your request

You requested for information on the Tri-Conference of DSWD Caloocan, NCR and RSCC

Response to your request

Unfortunately, your query is a bit vague. We would like to clarify what data you are specifically asking for. (e.g. minutes, attendees, etc.) We would also like to clarify what the Tri-Conference is about.

Thank you.

Very Truly Yours,

Atty. Maria Cassandra M. Urbiztondo
FOI Decision Maker

On or about between Oct 21-25, 2019 the following DSWD Social Workers conducted a conference to discuss my situation in adopting the following kids: Dave Villanueva and Myrthle Marcelo who were with us since December 2013. The participants were;

1. Mila Sampang, Social Worker, Caloocan City;
2. Janine Adamos, Social Worker, Foster Care, NCR
3. Mercy Pangilinan, Social Worker, RSCC, Quezon City

Also prior to their conference, I filed a complained on Oct. 15, 2019 with Presidential Complaint Center for very slow and inefficient processing of Dave Villanueva's birth certificate from DSWD Caloocan in order for us to enroll him in school and, furthermore, for adoption. 

The turn over of social worker handling our case is faster than the documents we are requesting so every year a different social worker was making promises about adopting Dave and Myrthle but never materialize.

I would like to request for the minutes of the conference and what action are being taken to speed up our adoption for Dave Villanueva and Myrthle Marcelo who are growing up and asking why is their last names not the same as ours. They are both needing medical attention for their disabilities. Your prompt action is highly appreciated. Thank you.

16 December 2019

Dear Mr. Gilberto Japgos,

Greetings!

Thank you for your request dated 25 November 2019 under Executive Order No. 2 (s. 2016) on Freedom of Information in the Executive Branch.

Your request

You requested for information on the minutes of the Tri-Conference meeting held by several social workers of the DSWD discussing your adoption of the minors Dave Villanueva and Myrthle Marcelo.

Response to your request

Unfortunately, the information you are requesting falls under the list of Exceptions to the Right of Access to Information enumerated in the Inventory of Exceptions to Right to Access to Information issued by the Office of the President (attached as ANNEX B to the FOI Manual of the DSWD). Specifically, it falls under:

c. Records of proceedings and processes deemed confidential by law for the privacy and/or protection of certain individuals, such as children, victims of crime, witnesses to a crime or rehabilitated drug offenders, including those pertaining to the following:

(9) Records, Documents and Communications of proceedings involving domestic and inter-country adoptions, including the identity of the child, natural parents and adoptive parents.

The disclosure of this information is also prohibited by Section 15 of R.A. 8552, which provides:

Section 15. Confidential Nature of Proceedings and Records. – All hearings in adoption cases shall be confidential and shall not be open to the public. All records, books, and papers relating to the adoption cases in the files of the court, the Department, or any other agency or institution participating in the adoption proceedings shall be kept strictly confidential.

If the court finds that the disclosure of the information to a third person is necessary for purposes connected with or arising out of the adoption and will be for the best interest of the adoptee, the court may merit the necessary information to be released, restricting the purposes for which it may be used.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your FOI request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response by writing to Secretary ROLANDO JOSELITO D. BAUTISTA at DSWD-Central Office, IBP Road Batasan Pambansa Complex, Constitution Hills, Quezon City. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made within 15 calendar days from the date when you received this letter. We will complete the review and tell you the result within 30 calendar days from the date when we receive your review request.

If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Office of the President under Administrative Order No. 22 (s. 2011).

Thank you.

Respectfully,

Atty. Maria Cassandra M. Urbiztondo
FOI Decision Maker