(6) months, as compared to the old law wherein they must
render one (1) year of service. Solo parents will also be
Republic Act No. 11861: Expanded Solo Parents
Welfare Act
On 04 June 2022, Republic Act No. 11861 (R.A.
11861), otherwise known as the “Expanded Solo Parents
Welfare Act” lapsed into law. This law amends Republic
Act No. 8972 (R.A. 8972) or “Solo Parents’ Welfare Act
of 2000” and grants additional support and benefits to solo
parents in keeping with the policy of the state to promote
social justice.
The significant amendments brought about by R.A. 11862
are as follows:
I. Categories of Solo Parent
Under the new law, the coverage of Solo Parents is
expanded to include the spouse or any family member of a
low/semi-skilled Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) who
is away from the country for an uninterrupted period of
twelve (12) months. The coverage also includes solo
grandparents who have sole parental care over their
grandchildren.  parent aged seven (7) and below are habitually received
The law reduces the period before a person can qualify to
become a solo parent due to abandonment and legal
separation from one (1) year to six (6) months.
Additionally, the period of detention or sentence of a
spouse for a criminal conviction is also reduced from one
(1) year to three (3) months to become a solo parent.
II. Comprehensive Package of Social Protection Services
Under Section 5 of RA 11862, the Department of Social
Welfare and Development (“DSWD”) Secretary, in
coordination with the heads of several government
agencies, civil society organizations, and nongovernmental
organizations (NGOs), shall develop a comprehensive
package of social protection services for solo parents and
their families.
III. Parental Leave and Telecommuting Programs
Under Section 7 and 8, a solo parent is now entitled to a
forfeitable and cumulative parental leave of not more than
seven (7) days as long as they have worked for at least six
Insurance Program (NHIP) with premium
contributions to be paid by the National
given priority in a telecommuting program, as provided in
Republic Act 11165 or the “Telecommuting Act.”
IV. Educational Benefits
RA 11862 shall also provide that scholarship programs
will be given to solo parents and a full school scholarship
for one (1) child of a solo parent in institutions of basic,
higher, and technical vocational skills education as long as
they meet the qualifications of the program. Priority shall
also be given to other children of the solo parent, if any, in
accordance with the law.  liberal terms of payment.
Under the same section, the children must be (i) dependent
on the solo parent for support, (ii) unmarried, (iii)
unemployed, and (iv) 22 years old and below.
V. Child Minding Centers
Under Section 10, the Department of Labor and
Employment and the Civil Service Commission shall
encourage the establishment of Child-Minding Centers.
These are facilities or areas provided by the employer in
the workplace or in accessible locations to solo parent or
workplace of the guardian where the children of the solo
for care and supervision.
VI. Social Safety Assistance
Under Section 14, solo parents and their children shall be
entitled to social safety assistance, such as food, medicine,
and financial aid during disasters, calamities, pandemics,
and other public health crises as declared by the
Department of Health.
VII. Additional Benefits
Under Section 15, additional benefits added in the new
law are listed as follows: 
1. A cash subsidy of P1,000 per month for solo
parents earning minimum wage and below;  she may seek assistance from the DSWD and DOH for the
2. A ten percent (10%) discount and value-added
tax (VAT) exemption on baby’s milk, food,
supplements, and diapers until the child is 6 years
old for solo
3. parents earning less than P250,000;
Automatic overage under the National Health
Government;
4. Prioritization of solo parents, especially solo
mothers in re-entering the workforce, and their
children as applicable, in apprenticeships,
scholarships, livelihood training, reintegration
programs for OFWS, employment information
and matching services, and other poverty
alleviation programs;
5. Preference in low-cost housing projects and
 
VIII. Solo Parents Database
Under Section 18, the DSWD and Department of Interior
and Local Government shall set up a centralized database
of all solo parents who have already been issued solo
parent identification cards (SPIC) or booklets. Solo
parents may apply for the issuance of a SPIC to be able to
avail of the benefits under this law by submitting the
necessary documentary requirements.
IX. Protection for Abused, Abandoned, Neglected, and
Adolescent Solo Parents
Section 22 provides that solo parents who have been
abused, abandoned, or neglected by his or her co-parent
may seek the help of the DSWD, who shall coordinate
with the respective barangay officials and/or police
officers. If the alleged abusive co-parent is gainfully
employed, the abused, abandoned, or neglected parent
shall have the right to retain a portion of the former’s
income for the support of the child. 
The subsequent section extends assistance to adolescent
solo parents, including victims of child marriages. He or
purpose counseling and other services. 

The local Government Unit of
Bobon, on behalf of the
Municipal Social Welfare and
Development office, would like
to extend its heartfelt gratitude
to all Participants and Speaker
for gracing the occasion with
their presence and for actively
sharing an important part in
commemorating this annual
Event.
-MSWDO-
Republic of the Philippines
Province of Northern Samar
MUNICIPALITY OF BOBON
ORIENTATION ON EXPANDED
SOLO PARENTS’ WELFARE ACT
(R.A. 11861)
“First Solo Parents’
Convention 2023”
Municipal Covered Court
Bobon, Northern Samar
March 22, 2023
9:00 A.M
Vice Mayor. Ligaya Tagros Uy
You Are Invited
 Programme PART III-
9:00 A.M.
Orientation Proper

PART I.
 INTRODUCTION OF THE
8:AM- 9:00 Registration
RESOURCE SPEAKER

Mr. Diego Nolasco

PART II. Solo Parent Prov’l. Fed President
Opening Amenities
 ORIENTATION OF R.A 11861
 PRAYER
Ms. Sherly B. Dela Cruz Atty. Krista Niña Faryl T. Retuya
Salvacion Solo Parent Atty. IV-Prov. Legal office
Resource Speaker
 NATIONAL ANTHEM
 OPEN FORUM
Sound System
Secretariat
 INTRODUCTION OF PARTICIPANTS

Secretariat Part IV-

Closing Remarks
 OPENING REMARKS
Hon. Reny A. Celespara
Hon. Ligaya T. Uy Municipal Mayor
Municipal Vice Mayor
 DON’T BE AFRAID TO SEEK HELP
MSWDO Bobon Hotline Republic Act No. 11861
Smart #: 09392832592 Globe #: 09951508483

Expanded Solo Parents

Welfare Act