By Lane Afable, News Editor
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) assured all Filipino solo parents of continued government support through the uninterrupted implementation of the Republic Act (RA) No. 11861 or Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act.
“Alinsunod sa direktiba ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., na palakasin ang social protection system at tiyakin na walang maiiwan sa pag-unlad, at sa pamumuno ni DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, na palawigin at palakasin ang mga programa para sa solo parents, tinitiyak natin na ang pamahalaan ay hindi lamang nakikiramay, kundi aktibong kumikilos,” Undersecretary Monina Josefina Romualdez of the DSWD’s Operations Group said.
As the primary agency implementing the law, the DSWD, alongside other concerned agencies, commits to keeping benefits and government assistance highly accessible.
The Operations Group undersecretary reiterated the need to help ease the burden that solo parents face in raising their families alone.
“Narito ang pamahalaan, kasama ang ating mga kaagapay na ahensya, upang magbigay ng suporta na hindi lamang nasa papel kundi ramdam sa araw-araw na buhay. Sa pamamagitan ng Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act, patuloy nating pinalalapit ang mga serbisyo at pinag-iigting ang mga programang tumutugon sa inyong pangangailangan,” Undersecretary Romualdez pointed out.
Representatives from the Inter-Agency Coordinating and Monitoring Committee (IACMC) for the Expanded Solo Parents Act also attended the event, including officials from the Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), Department of Finance (DOF), and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
Led by DSWD, the IACMC ensures that solo parents receive comprehensive benefits. These benefits include a ₱1,000 monthly cash subsidy for low-income earners, a 10% VAT-exempt discount on baby essentials for individuals earning below ₱250,000 annually, seven days of paid leave, and automatic PhilHealth coverage.
Furthermore, the law prioritizes solo parents for housing projects, livelihood training, and flexible work schedules.
As part of the Solo Parents Week celebration, several agencies, including the DSWD and its Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), PhilHealth, DOF, and DOLE, set up government help desks and booths. These installations helped solo parents process their government documents or requirements, and avail of direct services and assistance during the event.
“Hindi natatapos ang ating pagkilala sa isang linggo lamang. Sa bawat araw, kasama niyo ang DSWD sa patuloy na pag-alalay, pag-unawa, at pagpapalawig ng mga programang para sa inyo. Patuloy kaming magsisilbing katuwang niyo sa pagbuo ng mas maayos na kinabukasan para sa inyo at inyong mga anak,” the DSWD official said.
