REPUBLIC ACT No. 9523: AN ACT REQUIRING CERTIFICATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT (DSWD) TO DECLARE A "CHILD LEGALLY AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION" AS A PREREQUISITE FOR ADOPTION PROCEEDINGS, AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8552, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE DOMESTIC ADOPTION ACT OF 1998, REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8043, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE INTER-COUNTRY ADOPTION ACT OF 1995, PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 603, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE CHILD AND YOUTH WELFARE CODE, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES; March 12, 2009

 Salient points:

CERTIFICATION needs to be obtained first from DSWD, which is the agency with SOLE AUTHORITY to issue said certification declaring a " CHILD LEGALLY AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION" / CLAA.

child - below 18 or above 18 but cannot full take care of him/herself because of physical or mental disability or condition

abandoned child - no parental care/guardianship or parents disregarded for 3 continuos months, includes a foundling

neglected - basic needs unattended w/in 3 continuous months