TRABAHO Party-List Rep. Johanne Bautista has highlighted on the occasion of Solo Parents' Day her group's commitment to looking after the welfare of Filipino families through the proposed Parental Childcare Bill.

"As we celebrate Solo Parents Day this April 18, TRABAHO Party-list honors the incredible strength and sacrifices of every solo parent who single-handedly builds a future for their children with unconditional love and unmatched resilience," Bautista said in a statement.

Embodied in House Bill (HB) No. 4432, the Parental Childcare Bill seeks to address the heavy financial and caregiving burdens faced by families, particularly solo parents, amid the rising cost of living and inflexible work arrangements.

To directly address hefty childcare and child-rearing costs, HB No.4432 introduces a value-added tax (VAT) exemption on essential childcare products, such as infant formula, diapers, and vitamins, for households earning below ₱250,000 annually.

Additionally, the bill grants parents with two or more children an annual tax deduction of up to ₱50,000 for childcare-related service expenses.

"Batid natin ang bigat ng hamon na inyong pinapasan sa gitna ng tumataas na presyo ng bilihin at kakulangan sa suporta, kaya naman isinusulong natin ang [HB] No. 4432 o ang Parental Childcare Act of 2025 upang magbigay ng konkretong ginhawa sa bawat pamilyang Pilipino," said Bautista, a neophyte lawmaker in the 20th Congress.

(We recognize the heavy burden you carry amid rising prices and lack of support, which is why we are pushing House Bill No. 4432, or the Parental Childcare Act of 2025, to provide concrete relief to every Filipino family.

The proposed statute also champions the welfare of working caregivers by institutionalizing workplace flexibility.

"Our goal is to ensure you never have to choose between your career and caring for your child, which is why we are pushing for the right to flexible work arrangements and a seven-day paid childcare leave to help you manage both your job and your family’s needs," she explained.

Aside from direct subsidies, the bill also bats for a "whole-of-society" approach by providing incentives for the private sector to participate in childcare solutions.

"Tinitiyak din ng ating panukala na protektado kayo laban sa anumang diskriminasyon mula sa pagiging solo parent sa trabaho, while providing tax incentives to employers who offer on-site childcare or financial assistance to their employees," Bautista said.

(Our proposal also ensures protection against any workplace discrimination for being a solo parent, while granting tax incentives to employers who provide on-site childcare or financial assistance to their employees.)

She further described the Parental Childcare Bill as a promise of shared responsibility between the state and the family.

By establishing an Intergovernmental Coordinating Body to oversee implementation and penalize violations, the bill ensures that the government stands as a reliable partner in every household. 

"At TRABAHO Party-list, we stand with our solo parents in building a future where your hard work is respected, your rights are protected, and your children’s welfare is always the priority," Bautista concluded.