A measure granting solo parents additional benefits has recently lapsed into law and many are interested in availing themselves of its benefits.
As Filipinos bear the brunt of the Covid-19 crisis, the continuous oil price hike and the inflation, simple benefits, such as cash subsidy and free scholarship program, included under Republic Act No. 11861 or the Expanded Solo Parent Welfare Act, will be a big help.
So we've listed down the requirements that solo parents need to provide to be qualified under the new law.
First is the documentary requirements. Under Sec. 16 of the new law, a solo parent will be recognized if he or she can provide an authenticated or certified true copies of the following:
1. For a solo parent with child or children as consequence of rape
• birth certificate
• complaint affidavit
• medical record on the incident of rape
• sworn affidavit declaring that the solo parent has sole parental care of his or her child or children
2. For a solo parent with a deceased spouse
• birth certificate/s of child or children
• marriage certificate
• death certificate of the spouse
• sworn affidavit declaring that the solo parent is not cohabiting with a partner or a co-parent and has sole parental care of the child or children
3. For a solo parent whose spouse is under detention or is convicted of a crime
• birth certificate/s of child or children
• marriage certificate
• certificate of detention of the spouse certifying that he or she is serving sentence of at least three months or a commitment order pursuant to a conviction
• sworn affidavit declaring that the solo parent is not cohabiting with a partner or a co-parent and has sole parental care of the child or children
4. For a solo parent whose spouse becomes physically or mentally incapacitated
• birth certificate/s of child or children
• marriage certificate or affidavit of cohabitation
• medical record or abstract evidencing the physical or mental state of the spouse issued more than three months prior to application
• sworn affidavit declaring that the solo parent is not cohabiting with a parent or co-parent and has sole parental care of the child or children
5. For a solo parent under legal or de facto separation of spouse and for a solo parent whose marriage is no longer valid due to annulment or divorce
• birth certificate/s of child or children
• marriage certificate
• judicial decree of legal separation of spouses; in case of de facto separation, an affidavit of two disinterested persons attesting the separation; while for annulment or divorce cases, judicial decree of nullity
• sworn affidavit declaring that the solo parent is not cohabiting with a parent or co-parent and has sole parental care of the child or children
6. For a solo parent abandoned by spouse
• birth certificate/s of child or children
• marriage certificate or affidavit of the applicant solo parent
• affidavit of two disinterested persons attesting to the abandonment of spouse
• police or barangay record of the abandonment
• sworn affidavit declaring that the solo parent is not cohabiting with a parent or co-parent and has sole parental care of the child or children
7. For a solo parent or any family member of a low or semi-skilled overseas Filipino worker deployed continuously abroad for at least a year
• birth certificate/s of child or children
• marriage certificate of applicant
• overseas employment certificate or any equivalent document
• copy of passport stamps showing continuous 12 months of overseas work
• employment contract
• sworn affidavit declaring that the solo parent is not cohabiting with a parent or co-parent and has sole parental care of the child or children
8. For an unmarried father or mother keeping and rearing child
• birth certificate/s of child or children
• certificate of no marriage or CENOMAR
• affidavit of a barangay official attesting the residence of the solo parent and his or her solo parental care of the child or children
• sworn affidavit declaring that the solo parent is not cohabiting with a parent or co-parent and has sole parental care of the child or children
9. For a solo parent who is a legal guardian or adoptive/foster parent
• birth certificate/s of child or children
• proof of guardianship or adoption
• affidavit of a barangay official attesting the residence of the solo parent and his or her solo parental care of the child or children
• sworn affidavit declaring that the solo parent is not cohabiting with a parent or co-parent and has sole parental care of the child or children
10. For any relative within 4th consanguinity or affinity of the parent who assumes parental guidance
• birth certificate/s of child or children
• death certificate of parents or police/barangay records evidencing the disappearance or absence of the parent/s for at least six months
• affidavit of a barangay official attesting that the child/children is/are under parental care of the applicant
• sworn affidavit declaring that the solo parent is not cohabiting with a parent or co-parent and has sole parental care of the child or children
11. For a pregnant solo parent
• medical record of pregnancy
• affidavit of a barangay official attesting that the applicant solo parent is a resident and has no spouse
• sworn affidavit declaring that the solo parent is not cohabiting with a parent or co-parent and has sole parental care of the child or children
Meanwhile, for solo parents who will avail themselves of subsidies and discounts provided under Section 15 of the law, the following must be submitted:
• affidavit of no employment
• income tax return
• social case study issued by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, or
• any verifiable proof of income
The applicant shall submit the application to the Solo Parents Office or Division, which will be established in every province or city, according to Section 14 of the law.
Then, the said office shall issue free booklets to solo parents within seven days of the application. The booklets shall be valid for one year and shall be renewed.