The proposed amendments to Republic Act 8972 or the Solo Parent Law would benefit 15 million single parents, 95 percent of whom are women, officials said Monday.
Reps. Alfred delos Santos of Ang Probinsyano party-list group and Lawrence Fortun of Agusan del Sur, the principal authors of House Bill 8097, said of the proposed measure that would grant additional benefits to solo parents and their children. They expressed optimism that the bill would soon get enacted as it was expected to be passed on third and final reading when Congress resumes session in January.
The House approved the bill on second reading before Congress closed for a holiday break beginning Dec. 16.
The two lawmakers said RA 8972, which was enacted in 2000, had provided the framework for the rights and privileges of solo parents and their children but failed to address certain economic and social benefits that would address the pressing needs of solo parents to live a life of dignity in an otherwise very challenging situation.
“The enactment of this bill will be of great help to our millions of solo parent-led families who also suffer from the pandemic. We are hopeful that the Congress will prioritize the passage of this bill,” Delos Santos, an assistant majority leader, said.
“It is the primary right and duty of solo parents to care for their children. As for us legislators, it is our job to provide the solo parents with all the assistance and opportunities that they need in order to fulfill that role for their children.”
Delos Santos said the proposed amendments was aimed at uplifting the quality of life of solo parents and their children.
Fortun, chairman of the technical working group that produced the consolidated House bill that was approved at the committee level, agreed with Delos Santos.
“Raising a child takes a village and it is hoped that this bill will make each and every solo parent know that the country, its lawmakers and the government are supportive of solo parents and their struggle to provide for themselves and their child or children,” Fortun said.
HB 8097 seeks to grant additional benefits to solo parents and their children, especially to solo parents who earn below P250,000 annually, Fortun says.
HB 8097 provides that a solo parent employee can avail of leave with pay regardless of employment status; provide scholarship programs to qualified solo parents who undergo non-formal education programs and full school scholarship to one of their children; establish child minding centers in all workplaces, and enable working mothers to practice breastfeeding in the workplace.
The bill also seeks to give priority to solo parents and their children in the provision of livelihood, training and poverty alleviation programs, guarantee social safety assistance in times of disasters and calamities to solo parents and their children, and grant qualified solo parents tax and other special discounts on purchases meant to support their children.