The first Solo Parents Week was commemorated last week by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) through the Inter-Agency Coordinating and Monitoring Committee (IACMC).
Many are not aware that we have a law that protects the welfare of solo parents and ensures that they receive adequate social protection programs from the government. The commemoration, which will be every third week of April, aims to create awareness of the law – Republic Act No. 11861 or the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act, which became a law on June 4, 2022. It amended Republic Act No. 8972 or the Solo Parents Welfare Act of 2000, granting more benefits to solo parents. Among the benefits are a monthly allowance determined by one’s earnings, discounts for certain goods for feeding children, exemption from the value added tax for specific purchases.
There are about 15 million solo parents in the Philippines, according to a recent study by the World Health Organization (WHO).  Ninety-five percent of them, or about 14 million, are women.
The government’s concern for solo parents was confirmed by DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian who, during the opening of the Solo Parents Week, expressed his gratitude to solo parents who provide sole parental care and support to their children.
“The department recognizes your sacrifices to independently raise and care for your children and thus commends you for your courage and strength to fulfill this difficult responsibility. Together with other agencies, we commit to work hand-in-hand toward the goal of achieving a just and fair society for all Filipino solo parents, their children, and their families,” Gatchalian said.
Support for solo parents also comes from their peers.  At the DSWD Central Office, for example, there is a Solo Parents’ Support Group that promotes the rights of solo parents, particularly among employees of the department.  The support group received a certificate of recognition for its work during the week’s opening ceremonies.
Initiatives such as a support group in offices is a big assistance to solo parents for they live with more difficult circumstances. A solo parent juggles time for work and raising children single-handedly, without a partner who can take over while he or she has to finish an office task, or to attend to a child’s home care or schooling.
An important section in the expanded law encourages the promotion of child minding centers to provide a place where solo parents can leave their children while they are working. Section 10 states: “The DOLE and the CSC shall promote and encourage the establishment of appropriate child minding centers within the workplace, or in accessible locations to the workplace or residence of the solo parent." Child-minding centers can help solo parents keep their jobs and be productive members of the community.
The law defines a solo parent as one raising a child solo, or was left alone due to circumstances; one who bears sole parental responsibility over a child, including a foster parent duly recognized by the DSWD; and “a spouse or any family member or guardian of the child of an Overseas Filipino Worker who belongs to the low/semi-skilled worker and who has been away for an uninterrupted period of 12 months.”
Solo parents are members of our society. It is the responsibility of government and private sector to help them raise good and healthy citizens.