The law entitles a solo parent to a monthly cash subsidy of PHP1,000 per solo parent who is earning a minimum wage and below, to be allocated by the concerned city or municipal government.
A BILL that seeks to grant additional benefits to solo parents has lapsed into law.
A copy of the law showed without the signature of President Rodrigo R. Duterte.
Republic Act (RA) 11861 or the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act, which amends several provisions of RA 8972, lapsed into law on June 4.
Under the new law, the definition of “solo parents” is expanded to include spouses or any family member of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who are in the low/semi-skilled category and are away from the Philippines for an unbroken period of 12 months.
An amendment also includes grandparents and family members or qualified guardians who bear sole responsibility over the child.
RA 11861 directs the Department of Social Welfare and Development secretary, in coordination with other agencies, to develop a “comprehensive package” of social protection services for solo parents and their families which includes livelihood opportunities, legal advice and assistance, counseling services, parent effectiveness services, and stress debriefing, among others, regardless of financial status.
The DSWD, in coordination with the Department of the Interior and Local Government must also establish and maintain a “centralized database” of all solo parents who have been issued solo parent identification cards or booklets.
The law entitles a solo parent to a monthly cash subsidy of PHP1,000 per solo parent who is earning a minimum wage and below, to be allocated by the concerned city or municipal government.
It also provides a solo parent who is earning less than PHP250,000 annually with a 10-percent discount and exemption from the value-added tax on infant milk, food, micronutrient supplements, and sanitary diapers purchased, duly prescribed medicines, vaccines, and other medical supplements purchased from birth and until six years of age.
On top of leave privileges under existing laws, solo parents will be granted a seven-day parental leave with pay regardless of employment status. Solo parents will also be given priority in a telecommuting program. Photo courtesy: pixabay
