Cash aid to single parents mulled

ASIDE from seniors, allocating cash assistance to single parents in Cebu City is being considered by its officials.

City Councilor Gerardo Carillo proposed an ordinance that would allocate an annual P5,000 in cash assistance to single parents who are registered with the Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWS).

Carillo’s draft ordinance is proposing an annual allocation of P10 million for solo parents assistance.

“Just like the senior citizens, solo parents only need help from the city because the life of a solo parent is not easy,” he said in an interview.

Carillo said his ordinance is in keeping with the Solo Parents Act of 2000. The ordinance will set the guidelines and mechanics on how and when solo parents could avail of assistance from the city government.

DSWS chief Ester Concha said in an earlier interview that they have so far registered 200 single parents in the city.

Applicants should be a city resident, a registered voter and should submit a completed application form to the DSWS office.

Assessment

A social worker will be assigned to assess the financial capabilities of the applicant and determine if he or she is living below the poverty threshold to qualify for assistance.

The Solo Parents Act allows those registered with the DSWS the privilege to avail of five additional days of leaves on top of the allowable leaves authorized by their respective company’s if employed.

If Carillo’s draft ordinance is approved, single parents will receive cash assistance from the city government.

A public hearing has yet to be scheduled by the City Council on the proposed ordinance. Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac