Ang surrogacy ay paraan ng family building para sa couples, single women, at LGBTQ+ na hindi puwedeng magbuntis dahil sa medical, anatomical, o genetic reasons. Sa Pilipinas, legal status ng surrogacy ay gray area: walang explicit na batas na nagbabawal, pero wala ring malinaw na legal protection para sa intended parents at surrogate. Sa blog na ito, malalaman mo ang legal situation, medical process, gastos, risks, ethical debate, at international comparison—lahat ay Philippine context, hindi Germany.
Ano ang Surrogacy?
Surrogacy ay proseso kung saan ang isang babae (surrogate mother) ay nagdadala ng pregnancy para sa intended parents. Dalawang uri:
- Traditional surrogacy: Surrogate ang nagbibigay ng egg, siya ang genetic at gestational mother.
- Gestational surrogacy: Egg ay mula sa intended mother o donor, sperm mula sa intended father o donor; surrogate ay nagdadala lang ng pregnancy, walang genetic link.
Legal na Sitwasyon sa Pilipinas
- Walang explicit na batas: Hindi bawal, pero hindi rin regulated. Walang Surrogacy Act o Assisted Reproductive Technology Law.
- Contracts: Surrogacy contracts ay hindi enforceable sa korte. Ang surrogate ay legal na ina ng bata, kahit walang genetic link.
- Birth certificate: Surrogate ang nakalagay bilang ina; intended parents ay kailangang mag-adopt para maging legal parents.
- Commercial surrogacy: Hindi legal, puwedeng ituring na child trafficking o exploitation.
- Altruistic surrogacy: Puwede, pero dapat walang bayad maliban sa medical expenses.
- Foreigners: Hindi advisable—risk ng legal dispute, deportation, o denial ng citizenship sa bata.
Source:Official Gazette, DOH, UNICEF PH
Medical Process ng Surrogacy
- IVF: Egg retrieval mula sa intended mother/donor, fertilization sa lab, embryo transfer sa surrogate.
- Screening: Medical, psychological, infectious disease screening ng surrogate.
- Pregnancy monitoring: Regular check-ups, ultrasound, lab tests.
- Birth: Surrogate ang legal na ina; adoption process para sa intended parents.
Risks: Ovarian hyperstimulation, multiple pregnancy, preeclampsia, emotional stress.
Gastos ng Surrogacy sa Pilipinas
- IVF procedure: ₱250,000–₱500,000 per cycle
- Medical expenses: ₱100,000–₱300,000 (prenatal, delivery, postnatal)
- Legal fees: ₱50,000–₱150,000 (adoption, contracts, consultation)
- Surrogate allowance: Only for medical, food, transport; commercial payment ay illegal
- Total: ₱400,000–₱1,000,000+ (depende sa clinic, complications, legal process)
Note: Walang insurance coverage, walang government subsidy, at risk ng legal dispute.
Ethical Debate at Social Issues
- Child welfare: UNICEF at DOH ay nagbabala sa risk ng exploitation, trafficking, at identity issues.
- Women’s rights: Risk ng exploitation ng mahihirap na babae bilang surrogate.
- Religious views: Catholic Church ay tutol sa surrogacy, IVF, at third-party reproduction.
- Psychological impact: Emotional stress sa surrogate, intended parents, at bata.
International Comparison
- USA: Legal sa ilang states, contracts enforceable, gastos $90,000–$150,000, clear parental rights.
- Ukraine/Georgia: Legal, commercial allowed, gastos $40,000–$70,000, foreigners welcome.
- India: Restricted, only altruistic, foreigners banned.
- Thailand: Bawal na sa foreigners, only altruistic for locals.
- Australia/UK/Canada: Only altruistic, strict screening, gastos lower, legal protection for surrogate.
- Germany/France/Sweden: Bawal, contracts void, surrogate ang legal na ina.
Sa Pilipinas: Wala pang clear law, contracts ay hindi enforceable, at adoption lang ang legal na paraan para maging parent.
Alternatives sa Surrogacy sa Pilipinas
- Adoption: Legal, regulated, full parental rights. Process: DSWD, court, home study, matching, finalization.
- Foster care: Temporary care, possible long-term placement, DSWD supervised.
- Sperm/Egg Donation: Legal ang sperm donation, egg donation ay gray area, IVF clinics offer both.
- Co-parenting: Private agreement, legal risk, recommended na may notarized contract.
Sperm Donation gamit ang RattleStork
Sa Pilipinas, mas maraming couples at single women ang gumagamit ng sperm donation kaysa surrogacy. Sa RattleStork, puwedeng maghanap ng verified donor, gumawa ng legal contract, at magpa-medical screening—mas mura, mas legal, at mas safe kaysa surrogacy.
Konklusyon
Surrogacy sa Pilipinas ay hindi illegal pero hindi rin legal—walang protection para sa intended parents, surrogate, o bata. Adoption ang tanging legal na paraan para maging parent ng surrogate-born child. Kung magpapasok sa surrogacy, magpa-legal consult, magpa-medical screening, at maghanda sa risk ng legal dispute. Sperm donation, egg donation, at adoption ay mas safe at legal na options para sa Filipino families.