Gorontalo Government Puts Children’s Best Interests First in Adoption Decisions

Gorontalo’s provincial government has stressed that adoption cannot be reduced to a checklist of paperwork. The child’s best interests, officials say, must remain the central consideration in every case.

Reflin Buata, head of Gorontalo’s Social Affairs, Population and Civil Registration Agency, said adoption forms part of the effort to protect children and ensure they receive safe, proper and loving care. He called for every case to be handled carefully, objectively, transparently and responsibly.

A key role falls to the Adoption Licensing Consideration Team, known as Tim PIPA. The team examines the suitability of prospective adoptive parents, the child’s condition and the care the child would receive. The process must also respect nondiscrimination, the child’s right to live and develop, and the child’s views according to age and maturity.

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Therefore, every adoption process must be carried out carefully, objectively, transparently, responsibly, and with the child’s best interests as its focus.

“Therefore, every adoption process must be carried out carefully, objectively, transparently, responsibly, and with the child’s best interests as its focus,” Reflin said. He added that the 2026 regional PIPA hearing should be understood not merely as an administrative stage, but as a shared responsibility for children who need care and protection.

The hearing in Gorontalo involved representatives from religious courts, the Gorontalo police’s Women and Children Service Unit, provincial and local government agencies, professional social workers and child social assistants. Reflin said he hoped the process would produce decisions that offer children better protection and a stronger future while keeping their rights and needs at the center.

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The 2026 Regional PIPA Team hearing should not be understood merely as an administrative stage, but as part of our shared responsibility to ensure the future of children who need care and protection.