TABUK CITY, Kalinga – The City Social Welfare and Development Office has urged all solo parents in the city to register in their offices following the enactment of Republic Act No. 11861, otherwise known as the “Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act” amending RA 8972 otherwise known as the “Solo Parents Welfare Act of 2000”.
According to Zyra Kersten Daluping, CSWDO Focal Person on Solo Parents Welfare Program, qualified solo parents in the city can register in their offices provided that they will comply with all the requirements subsequent to their assessment in which category they will fall.
Atty. Guillermo Lawagan, Assistant Department Head of the City Legal Services Office explained that the new law was expanded to give more benefits and protection to solo parents in the country.
According to the law, solo parents include anyone who is responsible for the child or children’s sole care and support, including an OFW’s spouse or any other family members, an unmarried mother or father who raises their child or children, and anyone who is a child’s legal guardian, adoptive parent, or foster parent.
Additionally, it includes any relative within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity of the parent or legal guardian whose death, disappearance, absence, or abandonment of the child or children for at least six months resulted in the relative taking on sole parental care and support to the child, as well as a pregnant woman who provides sole and parental care and support to the unborn child.
Benefits to be given to single parents include a comprehensive package of social protection services in collaboration with different agencies, such as financial, counseling, and other assistance; flexible work hours; a telecommuting program; work against discrimination; parental leave of seven days; and financial, educational, and medical support.
A 10% discount and exemption from value-added tax on some essential goods, automatic enrollment in the National Health Insurance Program, and giving single parents preference in hiring and housing projects are further benefits.
The additional benefits of the P1,000 monthly subsidy may be accessible to Tabukeños in the upcoming fiscal year thanks to additional funding provided by the city.
The CSWDO records around 451 solo parents in the city in 2022, the majority of them are responsible for raising their children on their own due to the passing of their spouse. 39 newly established groups from various barangays were listed in CSWDO. By Ian Jefrey Addatu
