Section 4Sec./Art. 4

The Inter-Country Adoption Board. - There is hereby created the Inter-Country Adoption Board, hereinafter referred to as the Board, to act as the central authority in matters relating to inter-country adoption. It shall act as the policy-making body for purposes of carrying out the provisions of this Act, in consultation and coordination with the Department, the different child-care and placement agencies, adoptive agencies, as well as non-governmental organizations engaged in child-care and placement activities. As such, it shall:

a. Protect the Filipino child from abuse, exploitation, trafficking and /or sale or any other practice in connection with adoption which is harmful, detrimental, or prejudicial to the child;

b. Collect, maintain, and preserve confidential information about the child and the adoptive parents;

c. Monitor, follow up, and facilitate completion of adoption of the child through authorized and accredited agency;

d. Prevent improper financial or other gain in connection with an adoption and deter improper practices contrary to this Act;

e. Promote the development of adoption services including post-legal adoption;

f. License and accredit child-caring/placement agencies and collaborate with them in the placement of Filipino children;

g. Accredit and authorize foreign adoption agency in the placement of Filipino children in their own country; and

h. Cancel the license to operate and blacklist the child- caring and placement agency or adoptive agency involved from the accreditation list of the Board upon a finding of violation of any provision under this Act.