The Inter-Country Adoption Board (ICAB) created by  Republic Act 8043 (RA 8043) was designated as the Central Authority in matters relating to intercountry adoption of Filipino children. It is a policy making and regulatory body and approves all adoption applications and placements.

The Inter-Country Adoption Board is the national government agency mandated to act as the Central Authority in matters relating to intercountry adoption and policy making and regulatory body for purposes of carrying out the provisions of the Inter-Country Adoption Act of 1995 (RA 8043) 

To place Filipino children with suitable foreign adoptive families abroad to ensure the protection, security, and the best interests of the children.

In fulfillment of our Mandate and our Mission, we envision a Central Authority that is on the cutting edge of organizational development led by a multi-disciplinary team of experts and competent staff who proactively respond to the demands of international adoption.

      We endeavor to strengthen our advocacy efforts towards the development of sound policies and 

      practices in adoption and child protection with the help of current knowledge based on high 

      quality research and best practice models.  

      We are devoted to nurturing meaningful partnerships with our various stakeholders, applying 

      universally accepted principles of effective communication, efficient networking, and cross-

      cultural sensitivity.

      We are committed to complying with all regulatory requirements affecting our facilities. Our 

      organizational efficiency is enhanced by the use of the state-of-the-art equipment and 

      technology.

A. The Inter-country Adoption Board Members

    The Inter-country Adoption Act of 1995 (RA 8043) created theBoard which is composed of the Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as the ex-officio Chairperson and six (6) other members to be appointed by the President for a non-renewable term of six (6) years:

   a. One (1) psychiatrist or psychologist;

   b. Two (2) lawyers who have at least the qualifications of a regional trial court judge;

   c. One (1) registered social worker;

   d. Two (2) representatives from non-governmental organizations engaged in child caring  

       andplacement activities.

    A collegial body, theBoard exercises the general administrative, executive and collegial decision making functions of the whole agency.  The powers and functions of theBoard include: policy formulation, program development, regulatory authority, advocacy and networking.  Directly under the Board's supervision are the Inter-country Adoption Placement Committee (ICPC) and the Secretariat.

B. The Inter-country Adoption Placement Committee (ICPC)

     The Inter-country Adoption Placement Committee (ICPC) is composed of consultatns from the following representations: a child psychiatrist or psychologist, a medical doctor, a lawyer, a registered social worker and a representative from a non-governmental organization engaged in child welfare.  This multi-disciplinary group is involved in the following:

    1. Carrying out of an integrated system and network of selection and matching of approved

        adoption applicants and children;

    2. Recommend to theBoard approval of adoption applications and matching proposals;

    3. Assist theBoard in its accreditation function; and

    4. Act as consultants to the Secretariat  in their area/field of expertise.

C. The Inter-country Adoption Board Secretariat

    The Secretariat is the implementing arm of theBoard. This is headed by an Executive Director appointed by the Chairperson with the concurrence of the majority members of theBoard. The Executive Director serves for a term of six (6) years and may be re-appointed by the Chairperson for another term with the concurrence of theBoard.

    The existing Secretariat has a total of 42 personnel distributed as follows:

           Thirteen (13) permanent staff

           Twenty-eight (28) Contract of Service Workers

           One (1) Detailed permanent worker from the DSWD