New adoption requirement

There is now a new requirement for adoption in the Philippines.
Republic Act No. 9523 is entitled "An Act requiring certification of the Department Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to decalre a child legally available for adoption as a pre-requisite for adoption proceedings."
Under the rules and regulations recently promulgated, the secretary of DSWD or his representative, has the power to declare and issue a certification declaring a child legally available for adoption.
This certification shall be a pre-requisite in adoption proceedings.
Prior to the passage of the law, there was no required prior dtermination by a government agency that a chlid is available for adoption.