SOLO PARENT

WELFARE ACT
(RA 8972)
 Outline of Discussion
• Situation of Solo Parents
• What is RA8972?
• Who are considered as Solo Parent?
• A parent whose spouse is working abroad
• Package for Solo Parent
• How to avail Solo Parent ID
• Parental Leave
• Condition to terminate Solo Parent privileges
 Situationer
The growing number of adults who find themselves bonded
on the burden of solo parenting has contributed in one way
or the other to the consistent breakdown of the family

With the continuing threats and economic difficulties, there

is a specific need to address the concerns of the solo parents
if only to preserve the sanctity of the family as the basic
social institution
 Situationer
• Solo Parents go through multitudes of stresses. A combination of
psychological, physical and emotional anxieties particularly in coping
economic difficulties.

• As of 2000 census, there are a total of 2,912, 171 solo parents

nationwide. Of this number, 2,353,171 or 80% are widowed while
558,023 or 19% were separated or divorced.
 Declaration of Policy (Sec. 2)
• It is the policy of the state to promote the family as the foundation of
the nation, strengthen its solidarity and ensure total development

• It shall develop a comprehensive program of services for solo parents

and their children
 WHO ARE CONSIDERED AS SOLO PARENT?

• Solo Parent is any individual who falls under any of the following
categories:
• A woman who gives birth as a result of rape and other crimes against
chastity even without a final conviction of the offender, provided that
mother keeps and raises the child.
WHO ARE CONSIDERED AS SOLO PARENT?

•Parent left solo or alone with the responsibility of

parenthood due to the following circumstances:

• Due to death of spouse.

• Imprisonment of spouse for at least one year.
• Physical and/or mental incapacity of spouse as certified by
a public medical practitioner.
 WHO ARE CONSIDERED AS SOLO PARENT?

•Parent left solo or alone with the responsibility of

parenthood due to the following circumstances:
• Legal separation or de facto separation from spouse for at
least one (1) year, as long as he/she is entrusted with the
custody of the children.
• Declaration of nullity or annulment of marriage as decreed
by a court or by a church as long as he/she is entrusted
with the custody of the children.
 WHO ARE CONSIDERED AS SOLO PARENT?

• Unmarried mother/father who has preferred to keep and rear

her/his child/children instead of having others care for them or
give them up to a welfare institution
 WHO ARE CONSIDERED AS SOLO PARENT?
• Any other person who solely provides parental care and support to a
child or children provided she/he is duly licensed as foster parent by
DSWD or duly appointed legal guardian by the court
WHO ARE CONSIDERED AS SOLO PARENT?

• Parent left alone with the responsibility of

parenthood due to abandonment of spouse for at
least one year
WHO ARE CONSIDERED AS SOLO PARENT?

• Any family member who assumes the

responsibility of head of family as a result of the
death, abandonment, disappearance or prolonged
absence of the parents or solo parent: Provided, that
such abandonment, disappearance, or absence lasts
for at least one (1) year
 Definition of terms
• refer to those living with and dependent upon the solo parent for
support, who are unmarried, unemployed, and below eighteen
(18) years of age;
• or even eighteen (18) years and above but are incapable of self-
support and/or mentally and/or physically challenged
 Definition of terms
• Family- shall refer to the solo parent and his/her child/
children
• Also include uncle/aunt; grandfather/grandmother;
niece/nephew/cousin
 Definition of terms
• Parental responsibility – shall refer to the rights and
duties of parents to their minor child/ children that
includes:
>To keep them company, to support, educate and instruct
right precept and provide their upbringing in keeping with
their means;
>To give them love and affection, advice and counsel,
companionship and understanding
 Definition of terms
• Parental responsibility – shall refer to the rights and duties of parents
to their minor child/ children that includes:
>To provide moral and spiritual guidance;
>To furnish them good educational materials
>To represent them in matters affecting their interest
>To demand respect and obedience
>To impose discipline as may be required
 Parent whose Spouse is Abroad
• The law did not consider this as one of the categories
of solo parent since the other spouse still exercises
duties over his/her family.
 Criteria for Support
• Any solo parent whose income falls equal to or below
the poverty threshold set by the NSCB and subject to
the assessment of the duly appointed Social Worker in
the area
Qualifications of a Solo Parent
• A resident of the area where assistance is sought, as
certified by the Barangay Captain
• If the SP is a transferee, he/she is required to secure
clearance from his/ her previous barangay indicating
whether or not she/he availed services
• With income level equal to or below poverty threshold
level
 Assessment
• An applicant who manifests the need for assistance is
subject to assessment by a social worker at the
C/MSWDO.
• Indication of the level of readiness of the applicant
to receive a particular service/assistance
• Identification of existing and potentially available
resources that may support the applicant and his/her
children
 Requirements for Solo Parent ID
1. Barangay certificate residency in the area;

2. Documents/Evidence that the applicant is a solo parent

(e.g. death certificate of spouse, declaration of nullity of
marriage, medical certificate – if incapacitated); and

3. Income Tax Return (ITR) or certification from the

barangay/municipal treasurer.
 Procedure in Accessing Services
of Solo Parents
• Visit the C/MSWDO of the City/Municipality of
residence and manifest need for assistance;
• Fill-up application form
• Undergo necessary assessment process
• The SW shall prepare his/her Social Case Study Report
Procedure in Accessing Services
of Solo Parents
• Application for Benefits for
Agencies/Organizations
• Monitoring
• Termination of Benefits
• Reporting
 Conditions for Termination of
Solo Parent Privileges
• A change in the status or circumstance of the parent
claiming benefits under this Act, such that he/she is no
longer left alone with the responsibility of parenthood,
shall terminate his/her eligibility for benefits such as
change in the status with marriage.
 Procedure for Termination of
Benefits
• SP shall manifest to the Social Welfare Office of
his/her intention to withdraw the availment of services
• Solo Parent ID shall be renewed annually depending on
the re-assessment/ evaluation of the Social Worker
 Package for Solo Parent
• Livelihood development services which include
trainings on livelihood skills, basic business
management, value orientation and the provision of
seed capital or job placement. DOLE/TESDA
• Counselling services which include individual, peer
group or family counselling. This will focus on the
resolution of personal relationship and role conflicts.
DSWD
 Package for Solo Parent
• Parent effectiveness services which include the
provision and expansion of knowledge and skills of the
solo parent on early childhood development, behaviour
management, health care, rights and duties of parents
and children.
 Package for Solo Parent
• Critical incidence stress debriefing which includes
preventive stress management strategy designed to assist
solo parents in coping with crisis situations and cases of
abuse
 Package for Solo Parent
• Special projects for individuals in need of protection
which include temporary shelter, counselling, legal
assistance, medical care, self-concept or ego-building,
crisis management and spiritual enrichment.
 Package for Solo Parent
• Work related benefits (DOLE, CSC, Employer)
• Additional leave privileges of not more than 7
working days every year in addition to existing leave
privileges
• No work discrimination
• Flexible work schedule
 Parental Leave
• Parental Leave refers to leave benefits granted to a solo
parent to enable said parent to perform parental duties
and responsibilities where physical presence is required
as provided under Civil Service Commission (CSC)
Memorandum Circular No. 08, series 2004.
 Conditions for Parental Leave
• Solo Parent must have rendered one year
• Parental leave shall be availed every year and is not
convertible to cash
• Parental Leave shall be availed on staggered or
continuous basis subject to the approval of the head of
agency
 Conditions for Parental Leave
• Solo Parent may avail parental leave under the following
conditions:
• Attend personal milestones of the child
• Perform parental obligation
• Attend medical, social, spiritual and recreational
needs of the child
• Other similar circumstances necessary in the
performance of parental duties
 Procedures to avail Parental Leave
• A Solo Parent employee who applies for parental leave shall
comply with the following:
• Secure Solo Parent ID from the LSWDO with validity period
of one year
• Submit the accomplished application form at least one week
prior to availing the solo parent leave except for emergency
cases
Note: Approval of parental leave is mandatory provided it is in order.
 What are the proposed amendments?
• allocation of one percent from the internal revenue allotment
(IRA) of LGUs for programs/services benefiting solo parents
and their children;
• creation of an office of solo parents in every province, city,
and municipality;
• provision of full scholarship up to the tertiary level to at least
one child of a solo parent;
• and equal access to employment and educational opportunities
What are the proposed amendments?
• reduction of taxes for solo parents,
• provision of PhilHealth cards for solo parents below the
poverty line,
• free legal assistance, and
• increase the age of a solo parent’s dependent from 18 to 21
years old in view of the implementation of the K to 12
curriculum of the Department of Education which adds
additional years to basic education.
What are the proposed amendments?
• decrease the waiting period from one year to six months
before a solo parent can be allowed to avail of benefits;
and
• clarify the category of any other person who solely
provides parental care and support to a child or
children, specifying if he/she is a legal guardian,
adoptive parent, or licensed foster family.
What are the proposed amendments?
• creation of the Special Review Monitoring and
Evaluation Committee, and
• imposition of penalties for non-compliance to the
amended law and budget appropriation for its
implementation.