Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Erwin T. Tulfo announced the creation of a technical working group (TWG) to draft the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) to operationalize Republic Act (RA) 11861 or the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act of 2022.
RA 11861 amended RA 8972 or the Solo Parents Welfare Act of 2000 to ensure that solo parents can reap more exclusive benefits provided by the government.
Under the new law, solo parents earning minimum wage or below are entitled to a monthly cash subsidy of P1,000 from the local government unit, provided that they are not a beneficiary of any other cash assistance program.
They are also entitled to a 10 percent discount and exemption from the value-added tax on baby’s milk, food, micronutrient supplements, sanitary diapers, duly prescribed medicines, vaccines, and other medical supplements from the birth of the child until six years of age.
Solo parents will also be prioritized in low-cost housing projects through the National Housing Authority, with liberal terms of payment, and will be provided with automatic coverage by Philhealth.
Moreover, solo parents can access scholarship programs through the Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, or Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, but subject to eligibility and criteria qualifications.
A child of a solo parent will also be entitled to a full scholarship program, provided that the child is below 22 years old.
RA 11861 also stipulates the prioritization of solo parents, particularly the solo mothers, in re-entering the workforce, and their children, as applicable, in apprenticeship, livelihood training, among others.
The DSWD is tasked with spearheading the creation of a Comprehensive Package of Social Protection Services in coordination with other national government agencies.
Furthermore, the law stated that a solo parent with children in school will also be prioritized in the selection of new beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program if the income is within or below minimum wage.
The solo parent may also apply for livelihood assistance under the DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program.
Tulfo expressed his gratitude to Senators Imee Marcos, Risa Hontiveros, Bong Go, Miguel Zubiri, Bong Revilla, and former Senator Richard Gordon, who authored the milestone law.
He emphasized that the new law will be of great help to solo parents, especially that they are raising their children single-handedly.
Tulfo directed the TWG to complete the IRR the soonest possible time—within the 90 days prescribed period—so that the solo parents will receive the benefits immediately.