The Gabriela Women's Party-list has welcomed the lapsing into law of Republic Act (RA) 11861, better known as the Expanded Solo Parents' Welfare Act.
"Gabriela Women's Party is ecstatic over the lapsing of Expanded Solo Parents' Welfare Act into law as RA 11861, after years of persistent lobbying by solo parents' groups accross the country. We congratulate all solo parents, especially struggling mothers, over this legislative victory," said the militant party-list in a statement on Wednesday, June 29.
"The measure lapsed into law following a supposed veto threat by President Duterte, who seemed to be more inclined to implement austerity measures over the granting of additional benefits for solo parents," Gabriela continued.
Under the new law, solo parents will receive a monthly subsidy of P1,000 for beneficiaries earning less than minimum wage. For solo parents who earn less than P250,000 annually, they will get a 10 percent discount and value added tax (VAT) -exemption on children's basic necessities.
Solo parents are also entitled to seven days parental leave, while one of their children–aged 22 and below and financially dependent–will be eligible for scholarship programs courtesy of the Department of Education (DepED), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), or Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
Read more here: https://mb.com.ph/2022/06/28/new-law-provides-more-benefits-to-solo-parents/?amp
"We will actively participate in the drafting of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) to ensure the easy availment of the additional benefits of solo parents," Gabriela concluded.