CEBU CITY – The city of Lapu-Lapu City will be the pilot area for a social welfare program that will assist solo parents.
Lapu-Lapu Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Undersecretary Eduardo Punay on Thursday, February 15, signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the implementation of “Program Solo.”
LAPU-LAPU City Mayor Junard ‘Ahong’ Chan and the Department of Social Welfare and Development led by Undersecretary Eduardo Punay pose after signing a Memorandum of Agreement for the implementation of ‘Program Solo’ on Thursday, February 15. (Lapu-Lapu PIO)
Program Solo is a 10-month program which is separate from the city’s existing solo parent assistance.
Chan said that for the first quarter, the city will give P3,000 to each qualified and registered solo parent, making it the first local government unit (LGU) to provide financial assistance to solo parents.
The City Social Welfare Development Office said there are 533 solo parents who qualified for the assistance.
To avail of the financial assistance, one should be a registered voter, earning below the daily minimum wage of P468, and not a recipient of the unconditional cash transfer (UCT) or 4Ps.
The CSWDO is validating applications that it received until the end of February.
Punay said only three LGUs were chosen in the country to pilot the program – Anda in Pangasinan, Panabo City in Davao del Norte, and Lapu-Lapu City.
Chan thanked the DSWD for choosing Lapu-Lapu as a pilot area.
DSWD-Central Visayas Regional Director Shalaine Marie Lucero said Lapu-Lapu was chosen as one of the pilot areas for supporting the DSWD.
Lucero added that the city is also active when it comes to assisting “disadvantaged” constituents.
Program Solo has four components: Service delivery and partnership, community mobilization, emotional and parenting support systems, and developmental intervention for children.
If successful, the program will also be implemented in other LGUs, Lucero said.