Lapid wants overage children to remain in foster care during pandemic

Senator Lito Lapid has filed a bill that seeks a moratorium on the”aging out” of children in foster care during the pendency of the state of public health emergency throughout the countr y due to Covid-19 pandemic.

The bill also states that the moratorium should be implemented even six months after the termination of the state of health emergency.

Senate Bill 2050 seeks to address some of the potential negative impact brought about by the pandemic to children.

“This long-term negative impact is more pronounced in vulnerable sectors of this age groups such as abandoned, neglected, orphaned, rescued or surrendered children. One specific example is the plight of children in foster care,” Lapid said.

When these children age out of foster care arrangements, they most likely don’t have families, relatives or close friends who can provide them with shelter and other basic needs, according to the senator.

“They may end up returning in crowded institutional care facilities or orphanages, or worse, become homeless and live in the streets,” he said.

Lapid said he believes such grim scenario can be prevented by amending RA 10165 or the Foster Care Act of 2012 to include the said moratorium.

“Halos isang taon na tayong pinaparalisa at patuloy na pinahihirapan ng pandemya at kung tayo ngang mga nasa wastong gulang na ay hirap na makabangon paano pa kaya ang mga kabataan na walang sariling pamilya?” he said.

“Wala silang kalaban-laban sa tindi ng pasakit na dala ng pandemya at wala rin silang kakayanan na buhayin ang kanilang sarili sa gitna ng mapait na sitwasyong ito. Kaya dapat lang na hindi sila pabayaan na lumabas sa mga foster home dahil tiyak na mapapahamak lamang sila,” he said.

“Sa pamamagitan ng panukalang ito, masisiguro natin na ang ating mga kabataan ay makatatanggap ng sapat na pagkalinga lalo na ang mga nakadepende sa foster care,” Lapid explained.

The measure proposes that children who were under foster care during the start of the state of public health emergency declared by the Presidential Proclamation 922, series of 2020, but have aged out prior to the effectivity of this Act shall be entitled to return to foster care, if requested.

Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)