Section 10. Adoption Process.— The petition shall be filed with the Office of the Social Welfare and Development Officer (SWDO) of the city or municipality where the child resides. The SWDO shall have seven (7) days to examine the petition and its supporting documents and determine whether the same is sufficient in form and substance. If the SWDO finds that the petition is insufficient in form or substance, the SWDO shall return the same to the petitioner with a written explanation of its insufficiency. If the SWDO finds the petition sufficient in form and substance, the SWDO shall forward the petition and the supporting documents within three (3) days to the Regional Director.

The Regional Director shall review the petition, establish the identity of the child, and prepare the recommendation on the petition not later than thirty (30) days from receipt thereof. The Regional Director may require the petitioner to submit additional information or evidence to support the petition. The failure of the petitioner to comply with such request shall not preclude the Regional Director from acting on the petition based on the evidence on hand.

The Regional Director shall transmit to the Secretary the recommendation on the petition together with a copy of the petition and supporting documents.

The Secretary shall act and decide on the petition within thirty (30) days from receipt of the recommendation of the Regional Director.