House members are eagerly anticipating the final approval of the measure expanding the Solo Parents’ Welfare Act of 2000, which was passed on second reading during the last session day of the year.
Ang Probinsyano party-list Rep. Alfred delos Santos and Agusan del Norte Rep. Lawrence Fortun, two of the main authors of House Bill (HB) No.8097, believe that the amendments proposed in the bill would strengthen the current law.
“Marami tayong naniniwala na ang bill na ito’y susi sa pagbangon ng solo parent-led families mula sa pandemya (A lot of us believe that this bill will be key in uplifting solo parent-led families from the pandemic)," Delos Santos said.
"This is due to the bill’s features designed to give solo parents sustained forms of aid. 'Yan ang priorities dito at hindi ang one-time dole outs (Those are the priorities here, not one-time dole outs),” he stressed.
According to the rookie solon, legislators like him should act as the "support system" of solo parents amid the hardships that they are expected to encounter.
“Ang solo parents po ang may primary right and duty na pangalagaan at itaguyod ang kanilang mga anak. Ang trabaho naman po nating mga mambabatas ay ibigay sa solo parents ang lahat ng assistance at opportunities na kakailanganin nila upang magampanang mabuti ang tungkulin nila sa kanilang mga anak (It is the primary right and duty of solo parents to care for their children. As for us legislators, it's 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 explained.
Fortun said the passage of HB No.8097 would lead to a long-sought "upgrade" of the existing law and in turn benefit 15 million single parents, 95 percent of whom are women.
"All these provisions are stated in the bill for the sole purpose of uplifting the quality of life of solo parents and their children. 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," he said.
Among the salient points of HB No.8097 are make leave with pay available to any solo parent employee 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.
It also seeks to prioritize 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.
The measure was approved on second reading by the House last Wednesday, after which the congressmen began their annual holiday recess.
The bill is expected to undergo consideration for third and final reading once sessions resume on Jan. 18.