Around 100 leaders, representatives of solo parents’ organizations and local social welfare officers in Region III and the National Capital Region recognized  the importance of RA 8972 or the Solo Parents’ Welfare Act of 2000, and called  for the full implementation of the law.

“RA 8972 will help solo parents gain access to educational opportunities, such as scholarship programs and short courses provided by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), among others. Through the law, solo parents can also avail of the seven day parental leave, in addition to the regular leave privileges” said Carrie Javier, President of the DSWD-Central Office Solo Parents’ Support Group .

The leaders and local social workers recently attended the advocacy and policy forum on RA 8972 organized by the DSWD and held in DSWD Region III, San Fernando City, Pampanga  and in DSWD-NCR, Legarda, Manila.

During the forum, the participants aired their issues and concerns, exchanged best practices on the implementation of the law, and made recommendations to ensure that the law becomes more responsive to the needs of solo parents.

Mr. Estelito Mendoza, President of the Solo Parents’ Federation in Bulacan stated that their organization, composed of solo parents from the municipalities of Baliuag, Malolos, Marilao and Plaridel, have been implementing livelihood programs for their members and scholarships for their children.

DSWD Region 3 Director Adelina Apostol stated that the Department continues to provide assistance to solo parents because “we know that it is difficult to raise a family single handedly, hence, solo parents need interventions which can help them cope with solo parenthood.”

“Since House Bill 6184 amending RA 8972 has been passed by Congress, we are now appealing to our senators to consider integrating our proposed amendments. We would like to emphasize that although the provision of discounts on basic commodities, school supplies, vitamins and medicines for minor children of solo parents, will be very much appreciated, we are also after equal access to employment and educational opportunities. For instance, in hiring employees, the amended law should include a provision that a certain percentage of staff to be hired by all government agencies and private companies be allotted to qualified solo parents,” the solo parent – participants explained.

The DSWD is conducting a survey among its regional offices to determine the actual number of solo parents nationwide. To date, the number of solo parents surveyed in Regions 1, 3, 7 and NCR  is 21,173. ###