Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas. (Photo from her Facebook page)
MANILA, Philippines — The signing of the Expanded Solo Parents’ Welfare Act’s Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) is a victory for all solo parents and for the government, but Gabriela party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas reminded the public that more things are needed to be done.
During the ceremonial signing of the IRR at the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) office on Thursday, Brosas said that the document is a good step towards providing solo parents more benefits, but the public would still need to ensure that the law is implemented properly.
“Napakalaking tagumpay nito na nakamit natin. Ngunit, hindi rito nagtatapos ang ating laban. We will ensure that the law will be properly implemented and that each solo parents will receive the benefits under this law. Muli, binabati ko ang lahat. Congratulations lalo na sa ating mga solo parents,” she said in her speech.
Brosas said that state intervention is necessary in this topic, because solo parents bear the responsibilities of two parents, thus placing them in vulnerable situations often.
“We recognize that solo parents are among the vulnerable members of our society. They singly bear the parental burden and have needs that vary from psychological and emotional to financial that the State must address,” she said.
“State intervention is necessary to assist solo parents in rearing their children and provide assistance and relief to them, such as access to quality education, adequate and proper health care services, and affordable and quality food, clothing, and medicines,” she added.
The Expanded Solo Parents’ Welfare Act was signed last June 04 by former president Rodrigo Duterte, allowing the government to provide more incentives and assistance to solo parents.
Under the law, solo parents are entitled to 10 percent discounts and exemption from the value-added tax on the sale of basic necessities of their child or children such as clothing, baby’s milk and food, and children’s medicine, among others, under a specific period of validity.
Education assistance is also enhanced, as full scholarship for a solo parent’s child is guaranteed. Furthermore, the it provides employment opportunities for the solo parents as they are prioritized in the government’s livelihood, training, and poverty alleviation initiatives.
READ: House OKs bill granting additional benefits to solo parents
Aside from these, the solo parent can get access to the following benefits:
- additional parental leave
- low-cost housing project
- adequate and proper health care services
“Malaking alwan ang mga dagdag benepisyong naipagtagumpay natin lalo’t walang ampat ang sirit ng presyo ng mga bilihin at malaganap ang kawalan ng trabaho. Positibo rin na napalawig ang depinisyon ng solo parent para isama maging ang legal guardian at kamag-anak na solong nag-aaruga sa mga bata,” Brosas said.
“It is a victory that solo parents regardless of their employment status are entitled to seven days of non-cumulative parental leave with pay. Sa dating batas, kailangan nakapagrender ka muna ng at least one year sa trabaho. Ngayon, kahit 6 months ka pa lang sa trabaho ay entitled ka na sa parental leave,” she added.
The signing of the IRR, Brosas said, is also a big boost to a household’s finances especially amid the recent increase in the price of basic goods and other commodities.
“With the additional benefits provided under this measure, solo parents will at least mitigate the impact of rising prices, huge income losses, and a lack of state support,” she noted. — With reports from Trisha Manalaysay, trainee