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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Spouses of OFWs may avail of benefits, privileges for solo parents — DSWD

Spouses of OFWs may avail of benefits, privileges for solo parents — DSWD

Published Apr 24, 2025 10:57 am
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Spouses of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) may now qualify as solo parents and avail of the benefits and privileges provided under Republic Act No. 11861 or the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act, said the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

During the agency’s media forum on Thursday, April 24, DSWD Assistant Secretary for Statutory Programs Ada Colico said spouses of OFWs working abroad for at least one continuous year, particularly those in low- or semi-skilled job categories, can be considered solo parents under the law.

“Even if the OFW spouse provides financial support, the one who is solely taking care of the children here in the Philippines may be recognized as a solo parent,” Colico explained in Filipino.

RA 11861 defines a solo parent as someone who solely provides parental care and support due to various circumstances, such as abandonment, death of a spouse, separation, annulment, physical or mental incapacity of a spouse, or detention with at least a three-month sentence.

The law has since expanded to include more categories, including spouses of OFWs and other guardians.

Also eligible are legal guardians, adoptive or foster parents, and relatives within the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity who assume full responsibility for a child or children.

Pregnant women without a partner providing support may also qualify.

Colico cited the several benefits available to qualified solo parents, including a monthly cash subsidy of P1,000 from their local government units (LGUs) for those earning minimum wage or below; automatic PhilHealth coverage under the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP); priority access to housing and government employment opportunities; a 10 percent discount and VAT exemption on essential goods for children under six, for parents earning less than P250,000 annually; and access to scholarships and educational programs from the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

To avail of these benefits, solo parents must be officially recognized by their LGUs that are responsible for issuing solo parent identification cards.

“The DSWD does not issue the solo parent ID. It is issued by the city or municipal social welfare and development office,” Colico clarified.

She added that the ID must be renewed annually.

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