The Quezon City Social Services Development Department (QC SSDD) on Thursday, Jan. 13, gave P5,000 cash to 500 children of registered indigent solo parents in the city as educational assistance.
This is in line with the “Quezon City Expanded Benefits of Solo Parents and their Children Ordinance” or City Ordinance No. 2374 of 2014.
The ordinance says that beneficiaries are eligible for educational assistance through financial aid and scholarship programs in basic and tertiary level education or in non-formal educational programs.
Spearheading the event, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte recognized the diligence of solo parents in providing for their families.
She promised that the city government will continue to be an ally of solo parents.
The city has provided the solo parents employment referral and assistance through the Public Employment and Services Office (PESO).
As per the ordinance, registered solo parents working in private businesses and in the city government are also entitled to a seven-day parental leave.
Registered solo parents are qualified to join the “Tindahan ni Ate Joy” program, a livelihood program that gives P10,000 worth of capital assistance and provides training seminars to solo parents, people with disabilities (PWDs), abuse survivors, and relatives of drug dependents who want to launch their own businesses. Solo parents can also benefit from the “Pangkabuhayang QC,” a livelihood assistance program that helps citizens who have mostly felt the dire impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
The financial assistance is facilitated and given by the Quezon City Small Business and Cooperative Development and Promotions Office (QC SMCDPO). (Khriscielle Yalao)