By Alexandria Dennise San Juan The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will hold on Saturday its first National Solo Parents’ Summit as it pushed for the amendments to Republic Act 8972 or the Solo Parents Welfare Act. The DSWD, in coordination with the Federation of Solo Parents Luzvimin (FSPL), will conduct the summit today, July 14, at the Department of Agrarian Reform Gym in Quezon City in response to the increasing number of single parents in the country. According to DSWD Secretary Virginia Orogo, the amendments to RA 8972 is among the priority legislative measures being advocated by the Department. "Solo parents are considered a vulnerable sector of society since raising children on your own is a herculean task, hence, the national and LGUs should provide them with the necessary assistance to help them cope with the challenges of solo parenthood," Orogo explained. Based on a World Health Organization-funded study by the Department of Health and the University of the Philippines-National Institute for Health, at least 14 to 15 percent of the estimated 94 million Filipinos are solo parents, or about 14 million. Taking off from this study, the FSPL estimates the current number of solo parents to an estimated 15 million in which 95 percent are women. The one-day summit will be attended by 300 solo parent-leaders, advocates and representatives of different government agencies and local government units (LGUs). The event aims to provide a venue for local implementers, solo parent leaders or advocates and stakeholders to engage in interactive discussion on the issues and concerns affecting the sector; and come-up with a concrete plan of action in advocating the amendments. The DSWD chief also urged LGUs to improve social services for solo parents, especially in the barangay level. The FSPL and DSWD Central Office Solo Parent-Employees Organization (DSWD CO- SPEO) president Carina Javier said there are currently 18 bills filed in Congress, and five bills in the Senate seeking to amend RA 8972. Among the amendments being lobbied by FSPL and other solo parent organizations are 20% discount from all purchases of baby’s needs; 20% discount on medicines, vaccines and other medical supplement, supplies, accessories and equipment for the child, for purchases made from the child’s birth until 18 years of age; 20% discount from all purchases of the child’s basic necessities. Other amendments seeking by the group are 20% discount from all purchases of school supplies for the child, for purchases made from the child’s birth until 21 years of age; 20% discount from tuition fees per child who are in the college level in both private and public colleges and universities and schools, on top of any scholarship grants; and tax amnesty and/or reduction of real estate or inheritance taxes of solo parents.