THE National Authority for Child Care (NACC) is urging more qualified individuals and families in CALABARZON to become licensed foster parents, citing the lack of available licensed caregivers as a barrier to placing children in safe and nurturing family environments.
Through its Regional Alternative Child Care Office IV-A (RACCO IV-A), the NACC is encouraging prospective foster parents to help provide temporary family-based care for children who cannot remain with their biological families.
“At present, there are no available licensed foster parents on the roster. This lowers the chances of children being placed with licensed foster families,” said Shinette G. Nidoy, Social Welfare Officer III and head of the Alternative Child Care Section of NACC RACCO IV-A.
The shortage of available foster families could prolong children’s stays in residential care facilities and make it more difficult to keep siblings together, underscoring the need to expand family-based care options across the region.
RACCO IV-A Officer-in-Charge John S. Calidguid emphasized the importance of community participation in providing children with appropriate care and protection.
“Every child deserves a safe and nurturing environment where they can receive the care, protection, and support they need. By encouraging more qualified families and individuals to become foster parents, we can help provide children with greater opportunities to experience family-based care while plans for their future are being pursued,” Calidguid said.
As of October 22, 2026, a total of 74 children were under foster care in CALABARZON, while 55 licensed foster parents were registered across the region. Of these, 25 were in Rizal, 10 each in Cavite and Laguna, seven in Quezon, and three in Batangas.
Foster care is a vital component of the country’s alternative child care system, providing temporary family-based care and protection to children who cannot live with their biological families while efforts toward family reunification or other appropriate permanent placement arrangements, including adoption, are pursued in accordance with their best interests.
Interested individuals may contact RACCO IV-A through its official Facebook page, NACC RACCO 4A, its hotline at +63 960 218 6667, or email at racco4a@nacc.gov.ph.
They may also register for the Alternative Child Care (ACC) Forum at https://bit.ly/ACCFORUM2026 to learn more about foster care requirements, assessment, and licensing procedures.
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