Section 2Sec./Art. 2

Declaration of Policy. Article XV of the Constitution provides that the State shall defend the right of children to assistance, including proper care and nutrition, and special protection from all forms of neglect, abuse, cruelty, exploitation or other conditions prejudicial to their development.

It is hereby declared the policy of the State to provide every child who is neglected, abused, surrendered, dependent, abandoned, under sociocultural difficulties, or with special needs with an alternative family that will provide love and care as well as opportunities for growth and development.

The State shall guarantee that all the lights of the child enumerated under Article 3 of Presidential Decree No. 603, otherwise known as "The Child and Youth Welfare Code", as amended, and the rights found under Article 20 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child shall be observed.

The State recognizes that in most cases, a child will benefit more from foster care than institutional care. Towards this end, the State shall systematize and enhance the foster care program in the country. It shall ensure that the foster family shall provide a wholesome atmosphere to the foster child. Further to this end, the State recognizes that foster care is an important step towards the childs return and reintegration to his biological parents or placement with an adoptive family.

The State shall also protect the rights of the biological child of the foster family and ensure that in no case shall the child be disadvantaged as a result of the placement of a foster child.

In all cases, the childs right to health shall be upheld and protected.