As a solo parent herself, Vice President Leni Robredo plans to provide cash assistance to solo parents who are minimum wage earners to help in raising their children.
Robredo was widowed by former Interior secretary Jesse Robredo in August 2012 when the small aircraft he was riding crashed off the coast of Masbate.
The presidential aspirant who is a member of the Solo Parents’ Association, is lamenting the lackluster implementation of Republic Act 8972 of 2000 or the Solo Parents’ Welfare Act.
“'Yung sa atin po, marami 'yung proposals. Isa sa mga proposals 'yung mga minimum wage earners ay meron silang mga (From us, there are many proposals. One of the proposals is that the minimum wage earners will have) cash assistance every month para makatulong (to help),” she said during the “Nasugbloom” multi-sectoral assembly in Nasugbu, Batangas on Saturday, April 30.
“’Yung (The) scholarships nasa batas na 'yun dati pero hindi siya nasusunod, kaya kailangan sa IRR, kailangan siyang maisingit na (are already in the law before but it’s not being followed, so we need an IRR, it needs to be squeezed in as) priority talaga 'yung mga anak ng mga (the children of the) solo parents,” Robredo added.
If she wins on May 9, she also promised to provide social benefits for solo parents wherein they will have a facility to leave their children so they can work.
The aspiring president also wants a more “comprehensive medical assistance” for the children of solo parents.
Robredo said she has a more comprehensive plan for solo parents, but she did not have time to discuss it all earlier.
However, she promised to send the plan to the group’s representative.
The Vice President will also make the passing of the Security of Tenure Act, which was vetoed by President Duterte, a “priority legislation” under a Robredo administration.
But because the bill has already been vetoed, Robredo said this has to return to the “drawing table.”
She noted that she has already discussed the bill not only with the labor sector, but with employers as well.