ADMINISTRATIVE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE ROYAL NORWEGIAN MINISTRY OF SOCIAL AFFAIRS AND THE MINISTRY OF SOCIAL SERVICES AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE PHILIPPINES
Abiding by a common bond of public service and a common dedication to achieve the social, emotional, moral, physical and economic well-being for children;
Upholding the provisions of the Universal Declaration of the Rights of the Child approved by the United Nations’ General Assembly on November 20, 1959;
Regarding the welfare and interest of the child as the paramount consideration;
Considering the child as one of the most important assets of a nation;
Convinced that every effort should be exerted to promote its welfare and enhance its opportunities for a useful and happy family life;
Declaring that every child has the right to a wholesome family life that will provide it with love, care and understanding, guidance and counselling and moral and material security and noticing that dependent or abandoned children shall be provided with the nearest substitute for a home;
Have agreed as follows:
Article 1
This agreement applies only to Filipino children brought into the Kingdom of Norway for the purpose of adoption.
Article 2
Foreign adoption shall be considered only when the child cannot be adopted in the Philippines.
Article 3
A person domiciled in Norway according to Norwegian law, who wishes to adopt a Filipino child shall submit himself to the normal process of application in Norway for the adaption of a child from abroad.
Article 4
The following conditions will be observed in connection with adoption from the Philippines:
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(a)
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An applicant must be of legal age consistent with the legislation of both countries and in full possession of his or her civil rights and in a position to support and care for his or her dependents in keeping with the means both material and otherwise of the family.
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(b)
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The prospective adoptive parents shall present certificates that each is qualified to adopt in his own country and each one is of good conduct with no criminal record such as crime involving moral turpitude.
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Article 5
The Royal Norwegian Ministry of Social Affairs shall inform the Ministry of Social Services and Development of any project of research in Norway involving Filipino children, the result of which shall be transmitted to the Ministry permitting it to be used for the modification of policies and procedures and for the enrichment of existing child welfare programs and services.
Article 6
The Annex to this Agreement shall constitute an integral part of this Agreement.
Article 7
A contracting party may denounce the present Agreement with a written notice at any time. Such denunciation becomes effective after 3 months and shall not have any retroactive effect.
Article 8
This Agreement enters into force on the date of its signature and is an administrative arrangement between the two Ministries.
Done in Manila on February 4, 1982 in two originals in the English language.
For the Royal Norwegian Ministry of Social Affairs: For the Ministry of Social Services and Development: Sgd.
JOHN GRIEG
Counsellor and Charge d’ Affaires a.i.Sgd.
SYLVIA P. MONTES
Minister
MSSDWITNESS: Sgd.
JOSE I. PLANA
Assistant Minister for Legal Affairs, MFA
Entry into Force: February 4, 1982