HAGUE CONVENTION ADOPTIONS IN THE PHILLIPPINES,

UNCLAS MANILA 001358 SIPDIS CA/OCS/CI FOR KELLY R. ALBRECHT E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: CVIS CASC KOCI CMGT RP SUBJECT: HAGUE CONVENTION ADOPTIONS IN THE PHILLIPPINES, 2008-2009 REF: 08 STATE 023128 ¶1. SUMMARY: Embassy Manila has seen smooth processing of adoption cases in the first year under the Hague Adoption Convention Requirements (Hague Convention). Communication between Post and the GOP on this matter has been excellent. Helping the transition go smoothly was the fact that the Philippines has been a signatory to the Hague Convention since 1993. END SUMMARY. ¶2. Conoffs and Locally Employed Staff handling adoptions met with several Philippine Government agencies, including the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA),Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Intercountry Adoption Board (ICAB) to disseminate information and explain new procedures before U.S. implemention of Hague Convention procedures on April 1, 2008 (Reftel). Staff also met with other foreign Embassies in the Philippines to share notes. ¶3. Prior to implementing Hague Convention requirements, Post held a conference with ICAB to discuss concerns such as the IH3 process, vaccination waivers, local adoption cases, and new required documentation. Post and ICAB also conferred about the Summer/Winter Program, where prospective adoptees travel to the U.S. to meet with potential adopting families, and the Medical Mission Program, where prospective adoptees with significant medical issues can travel to the U.S. for medical treatment. ICAB, the country's central authority on adoptions, easily adapted to PostQs new Hague Convention procedures and requirements since the Philippines has been a signatory to the Hague Convention since 1993. To streamline the process, Post agreed to allow ICAB to submit the Article 23 certificate during an adopteeQs initial interview so that Conoff can adjudicate the case and simultaneously issue the visa and Hague Certificate. ¶4. As an example of ICABQs excellent cooperation with Post, in June 2009 ICAB agreed to PostQs request to issue Transfer of Custody and Placement Authority documents for nine children who had traveled to the U.S. under the Medical Mission Program. This will allow these children, who suffer from a variety of serious medical ailments, to remain with their adopting families in the U.S. for treatment while still satisfying IH4 requirements. After the issuance of Hague Certificates, these children may apply for adjustment of status in the U.S. without returning to the Philippines. ¶5. As the below statistics indicate, the overall number of adoption cases has been sharply increasing as people have been attempting to finish processing under the previous rules. The number of IH4 adoptions has not been as high as expected. IH4 IR3 IR4 Total APR 06-MAR 07: 73 178 251 APR 07-MAR 08: 85 222 307 APR 08-MAR 09: 37 129 229 395 KENNEY