Benefits And Privileges Of Solo Parents Kuya Dave.docx

Benefits And Privileges Of Solo Parents According To R.A. 8972 REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8972 AN ACT PROVIDING FOR BENEFITS AND PRIVILEGES TO SOLO PARENTS AND THEIR CHILDREN, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines Congress assembled: Section 1. Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Solo Parents’ Welfare Act of 2000.” Section 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is the policy of the State to promote the family as the foundation of the nation, strengthen its solidarity and ensure its total development. Towards this end, it shall develop a comprehensive program of services for solo parents and their children to be carried out by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the National Housing Authority (NHA), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and other related government and nongovernment agencies. Section 3. Definition of Terms. – Whenever used in this Act, the following terms shall mean as follows: (a) “Solo parent” – any individual who falls under any of the following categories: (1) A woman who gives birth as a result of rape and other crimes against chastity even without a final conviction of the offender: Provided, That the mother keeps and raises the child; (2) Parent left solo or alone with the responsibility of parenthood due to death of spouse; (3) Parent left solo or alone with the responsibility of parenthood while the spouse is detained or is serving sentence for a criminal conviction for at least one (1) year; (4) Parent left solo or alone with the responsibility of parenthood due to physical and/or mental incapacity of spouse as certified by a public medical practitioner; (5) Parent left solo or alone with the responsibility of parenthood due to legal separation or de factoseparation from spouse for at least one (1) year, as long as he/she is entrusted with the custody of the children; (6) Parent left solo or alone with the responsibility of parenthood due to declaration of nullity or annulment of marriage as decreed by a court or by a church as long as he/she is entrusted with the custody of the children; (7) Parent left solo or alone with the responsibility of parenthood due to abandonment of spouse for at least one (1) year; (8) Unmarried mother/father who has preferred to keep and rear her/his child/children instead of having others care for them or give them up to a welfare institution; (9) Any other person who solely provides parental care and support to a child or children; (10) Any family member who assumes the responsibility of head of family as a result of the death, abandonment, disappearance or prolonged absence of the parents or solo parent.

A change in the status or circumstance of the parent claiming benefits under this Act, such that he/she is no longer left alone with the responsibility of parenthood, shall terminate his/her eligibility for these benefits. (b) “Children” – refer to those living with and dependent upon the solo parent for support who are unmarried, unemployed and not more than eighteen (18) years of age, or even over eighteen (18) years but are incapable of self-support because of mental and/or physical defect/disability. (c) “Parental responsibility” – with respect to their minor children shall refer to the rights and duties of the parents as defined in Article 220 of Executive Order No. 209, as amended, otherwise known as the “Family Code of the Philippines.” (d) “Parental leave” – shall mean leave benefits granted to a solo parent to enable him/her to perform parental duties and responsibilities where physical presence is required. (e) “Flexible work schedule” – is the right granted to a solo parent employee to vary his/her arrival and departure time without affecting the core work hours as defined by the employer. Section 4. Criteria for Support. – Any solo parent whose income in the place of domicile falls below the poverty threshold as set by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and subject to the assessment of the DSWD worker in the area shall be eligible for assistance: Provided, however, That any solo parent whose income is above the poverty threshold shall enjoy the benefits mentioned in Sections 6, 7 and 8 of this Act. Section 5. Comprehensive Package of Social Development and Welfare Services. – A comprehensive package of social development and welfare services for solo parents and their families will be developed by the DSWD, DOH, DECS, CHED, TESDA, DOLE, NHA and DILG, in coordination with local government units and a nongovernmental organization with proven track record in providing services for solo parents. The DSWD shall coordinate with concerned agencies the implementation of the comprehensive package of social development and welfare services for solo parents and their families. The package will initially include: (a) Livelihood development services which include trainings on livelihood skills, basic business management, value orientation and the provision of seed capital or job placement. (b) Counseling services which include individual, peer group or family counseling. This will focus on the resolution of personal relationship and role conflicts. (c) Parent effectiveness services which include the provision and expansion of knowledge and skills of the solo parent on early childhood development, behavior management, health care, rights and duties of parents and children. (d) Critical incidence stress debriefing which includes preventive stress management strategy designed to assist solo parents in coping with crisis situations and cases of abuse. (e) Special projects for individuals in need of protection which include temporary shelter, counseling, legal assistance, medical care, self-concept or ego-building, crisis management and spiritual enrichment. Section 6. Flexible Work Schedule. – The employer shall provide for a flexible working schedule for solo parents: Provided, That the same shall not affect individual and company productivity: Provided, further, That any employer may request exemption from the above requirements from the DOLE on certain meritorious grounds. Section 7. Work Discrimination. – No employer shall discriminate against any solo parent employee with respect to terms and conditions of employment on account of his/her status. Section 8. Parental Leave. – In addition to leave privileges under existing laws, parental leave of not more than seven (7) working days every year shall be granted to any solo parent employee who has rendered service of at least one (1) year.

Section 9. Educational Benefits. – The DECS, CHED and TESDA shall provide the following benefits and privileges: (1) Scholarship programs for qualified solo parents and their children in institutions of basic, tertiary and technical/skills education; and (2) Nonformal education programs appropriate for solo parents and their children. The DECS, CHED and TESDA shall promulgate rules and regulations for the proper implementation of this program. Section 10. Housing Benefits. – Solo parents shall be given allocation in housing projects and shall be provided with liberal terms of payment on said government low-cost housing projects in accordance with housing law provisions prioritizing applicants below the poverty line as declared by the NEDA. Section 11. Medical Assistance. – The DOH shall develop a comprehensive health care program for solo parents and their children. The program shall be implemented by the DOH through their retained hospitals and medical centers and the local government units (LGUs) through their provincial/district/city/municipal hospitals and rural health units (RHUs). Section 12. Additional Powers and Functions of the DSWD. — The DSWD shall perform the following additional powers and functions relative to the welfare of solo parents and their families: (a) Conduct research necessary to: (1) develop a new body of knowledge on solo parents; (2) define executive and legislative measures needed to promote and protect the interest of solo parents and their children; and (3) assess the effectiveness of programs designed for disadvantaged solo parents and their children; (b) Coordinate the activities of various governmental and nongovernmental organizations engaged in promoting and protecting the interests of solo parents and their children; and (c) Monitor the implementation of the provisions of this Act and suggest mechanisms by which such provisions are effectively implemented. Section 13. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – An interagency committee headed by the DSWD, in coordination with the DOH, DECS, CHED, TESDA, DOLE, NHA, and DILG is hereby established which shall formulate, within ninety (90) days upon the effectivity of this Act, the implementing rules and regulations in consultation with the local government units, nongovernment organizations and people’s organizations. Section 14. Appropriations. – The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act shall be included in the budget of concerned government agencies in the General Appropriations Act of the year following its enactment into law and thereafter.1awphil.net Section 15. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, executive orders, administrative orders or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly. Section 16. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Act is held invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect. Section 17. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its complete publication in theOfficial Gazette or in at least two (2) newspaper of general circulation. Approved. (Sgd.)

JOSEPH President of the Philippines

EJERCITO

ESTRADA

__________ Related Articles:

SOLO PARENTS WELFARE ACT (2012 AMENDMENTS) One of the hottest topics this week is the Solo Parents Welfare Act, amendments of which through House Bill 6184 were approved by the House of Representatives on third and final reading on Monday, June 4, 2012. The law now grants additional benefits to solo parents. We’ve embedded a copy of the Solo Parents’ Welfare Act of 2000 (RA 8972, original version, where vital details are stated) as well its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for information and reference purposes. Aside from housing and educational benefits, qualified solo parents may also avail of the following:   

10% discount on children’s clothing materials 15% discount on baby’s milk, food and food supplement 15% discount on all purchases of medicine for children (5 years old and below)

HB 6184 likewise expands the qualification of solo parents to persons left to take the responsibility of parenthood due to the partner’s incapacity or disability. Solo parents are required to present identification cards (ID) issued by the city or municipal social welfare and development officer to avail of the expanded benefits. Those who will violate the law will be penalized with a P10,000 to P100,000 fine and imprisonment of six months to two years. House Bill 6184 was principally authored by You Against Poverty and Corruption (YACAP) party-list Rep. Carol Jayne Lopez. Other authors include Camarines Sur Rep. Diosdado Arroyo, Malabon Rep. Jaye Lacson-Noel, Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, DIWA party-list Rep. Emmeline Aglipay and Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez. (Source: www.coolbustser.net) __________

HOUSE OKS ADDITIONAL BENEFITS FOR SOLO PARENTS Published June 5, 2012 5:06pm The House of Representatives has approved a bill giving additional benefits for solo parents. The lower chamber passed on Monday night House Bill (HB) 6184, which seeks to amend Republic Act (RA) 8972 or the Solo Parents Welfare Act. Under the approved measure, solo parents — or parents and guardians who bear lone parenting responsibilities — are entitled to the following additional benefits:

  

10 percent discount on children’s clothing materials purchased two years from birth of child, 15 percent discount on baby’s milk, food and food supplement purchased two years from birth of child, and 15 percent discount on all purchases of medicine for children five years old and below.

The bill requires solo parents to present identification cards issued by the city or municipal social welfare and development officer to avail of these benefits. HB 6184 also reduces the waiting period to be a qualified solo parent from one year, as stated in RA 8972, to six months. The proposed legislation likewise seeks to impose penalties, ranging from a P10,000 fine to imprisonment for a year, on persons or corporations who refuse to grant benefits to solo parents. A similar bill filed by Senator Loren Legarda has been pending before the Senate committee since September 2010. Now that the House has passed the bill, the Senate can either approve its own version of the measure or adopt HB 6184. After this, a bicameral conference committee will be convened to reconcile the respective versions of the House and Senate. Once the bicameral committee approves the bill, it will be returned to the House and Senate for ratification. It will then be submitted to Malacañang for the signature of the President. — Andreo Calonzo/RSJ, GMA News – See more at: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/260728/news/nation/house-oks-additional-benefitsfor-solo-parents#sthash.ZhBCHOsO.dpuf __________

SOLO PARENTS’ WELFARE ACT AND WORK BENEFITS TO SOLO-PARENT EMPLOYEES by Atty. Lorna Patajo-Kapunan – September 13, 2015 Solo parents are those who are left alone with the responsibility of rearing their children regardless of marital status, and based on National Statistics Office (NSO) data, there are about 14 million solo parents in the Philippines. The increasing number of solo parents has led the national government to pass Republic Act 8972, or the Solo Parents’ Welfare Act of 2000, which was promulgated on November 7, 2000. While being a solo parent can be difficult, the passage of RA 8972 has somehow made it rewarding. RA 8972 was enacted to provide a comprehensive program of services for solo parents and their children. This law covers fathers or mothers who raise their children by themselves, either because of the death of a spouse, abandonment, separation, or even those who have children as a result of rape. This law also considers as a solo parent those who are left to care for children not their own, such as nephews, nieces, or godchildren. So long as you are a person solely responsible for the upbringing of a child, you are considered a solo parent under this Act. Under RA 8972, people who are eligible for the said benefits should get a solo-parent ID to be able to claim the said benefits. To get a solo-parent ID, they should present the following documents to their local Social Welfare and Development Office: (1) Barangay certification certifying solo parent’s residency in the barangay for the last six months and (2) Income-tax return or any document that will establish the income level of the solo parent. Once the social workers have received and verified the documents presented, they will be given a case number in the logbook of Registry of Solo Parents. Once it’s completed, they will give the applicant a solo-parent ID, which is valid for a year and renewable.

With the help of RA 8972, solo parent employees, who are solely taking care of their children can reap the exclusive benefits provided by the government. Section 7 of RA 8972 mandates that no employer shall discriminate against any solo-parent employee with respect to terms and conditions of employment on account of his/her status. Thus, employers of solo-parent employees should be guided by the employment-related benefits available to all solo parents, such as: (1) Flexible work schedule. This refers to the right of a solo-parent employee to vary his/her arrival and departure time without affecting the core work hours as defined by the employer. The employer shall provide for a flexible working schedule for solo-parents, as long as it shall not affect individual and company productivity. (2) No work discrimination. Employers are prohibited from discriminating against any solo-parent employee with respect to terms and conditions of employment on account of his/her status. (3) Parental leave. “Parental leave” means leave benefits granted to a solo parent to enable him/her to perform parental duties and responsibilities where physical presence is required. In addition to leave privileges under existing laws, parental leave of not more than seven working days every year shall be granted to any soloparent employee who has rendered services for at least one year with full pay, consisting of basic salary and mandatory allowances. In order to benefit from the “parental leave,” a solo-parent employee should have rendered at least one year of service, whether continuous or broken. In addition, the employee should notify her or his employer that she or he will avail herself/himself of the leave within a reasonable period of time. Finally, the solo-parent employee must present to the employer his or her Solo Parent Identification Card. A solo-parent employee should remember that “parental leave” is not convertible to cash if not availed of. Clearly, being a solo parent is indeed rewarding, where one enjoys such perks and privileges. The question now is, what is the effect if an employer refuses to afford the solo-parent employee such benefit? Other than the remedy provided by the Labor Code of the Philippines for failure of an employer to observe labor standards benefits of a solo-parent employee, RA 8972 and its implementing rules and regulations do not provide penalty clauses in case the employer refuses, without justifiable reasons, to observe the mandates of the law on solo-parent employee benefits.Itnow appears that RA 8972 has no tooth at all that would compel employers to strictly comply with the directives of RA 8972. Thus, I am of the opinion that there is a need to revisit and amend RA 8972 to enforce criminal liabilities on employers who fail to comply with the same. As a final note, we should be applauding solo parents in our community and asking how we can support them better as they seek to fight for a better life for themselves and their children. They are truly an inspiration to society. (Source: www.businessmirror.com.ph)