ANSON-ROA CALLS FOR GREATER SUPPORT OF ADOPTION PROGRAM February 5, 2004 Opposition senatorial candidate Boots Anson-Roa called yesterday for active support by the public, particularly childless couples or those with small families, to support the government adoption program which is aimed at enhancing child welfare. Anson-Roa, who is running fo the Senate under the Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KNP) headed by the Fernando Poe Jr.-Loren Legarda presidential tandem, made the call as the nation prepares to observe "Adoption Consciousness Day" tomorrow, February 7. "Childless couples, especially those with the heart and financial capacity to care for orphaned, abandoned, abused or neglected children, should be encouraged to support the adoption program to ensure the well-being of these unfortunate children," said Anson Roa, a Gintong Ina awardee in 1994. The multi-awarded movie and TV personality pointed out that it is not easy to adopt but she called upon the social spirit of childless couples or those with the financial capacity to see the need of ensuring a bright future for abandoned children in the country's orphanages. "Orphans or abandoned children who are given a brighter tomorrow through adoption become assets for a strong and progressive nation," Anson-Roa remarked. The KNP senatorial bet said that placing neglected children in the hands of good adoptive parents prevents the rise of street children who are often involved in crimes or drug addiction. Anson-Roa explained that adoption in ancient Greece and Rome had been practiced primarily for serving important estate perpetuation purposes for citizens who otherwise would have had no heir. But in modern times, she stressed, its main role is to promote child welfare. She urged Social Welfare Secretary Corazon "Dinky" Soliman to streamline adoption procedures by eliminating cumbersome requirements and lowering adoption fees to promote the adoption program. At present, it takes 90 days to process adoption applications and the cost ranges from P40,000 to P50,000.