In connection with laws regarding parents you may also read: Paternity Leave for Expectant Fathers
RA 9872 is AN ACT PROVIDING FOR BENEFITS AND PRIVILEGES TO SOLO PARENTS AND THEIR CHILDREN. What is a Solo Parent? Is there a significance in knowing whether a parent is solo or not? There is.
Who is considered a Solo Parent?
- Under the said law, “Solo parent” is 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 facto separation 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.
What are the privileges of a Solo Parent?
- Flexible Work Schedule (Note: The employer may request exemption from the above requirements from the DOLE on certain meritorious grounds)
- Parental Leave of not more than seven (7) working days in addition to leave privileges under existing laws. Provided, the solo parent has rendered service of at least one (1) year.
- Educational Benefits provided by the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)
- Housing Benefits with liberal terms of payment on authorized government low-cost housing projects in accordance with housing law provisions prioritizing applicants below the poverty line as declared by the NEDA.
- Medical Assistance or access to comprehensive health care program for solo parents and their children developed by the Department of Health.
- Comprehensive Package of Social Development and Welfare Services as developed by Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), DOH, DepED, CHED, TESDA, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), National Housing Authority (NHA) and Department of Local and Interior Local Government (DILG).
What are the Criteria for Support?
- A Solo Parent is eligible for assistance if his or her income in the place of domicile falls below the poverty threshold as set by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and was subjected to the assessment of the DSWD worker in the area.
What if the income of the Solo Parent is above the said poverty threshold?
- The Solo parent is still eligible to other privileges such as Flexible Work Schedule and Parental leave.
How to avail of the package of services?
- The Solo parent must apply for a Solo Parent Identification Card (Solo Parent ID) from the City or Municipal Social Development Office. Upon the issuance of the Solo Parent ID, the Solo Parent can now apply for the services needed from the specific agencies providing such assistance or services.
What are the requirements in securing a Solo Parent ID?
- Barangay Certificate residency in the area;
- Documents/Evidence that the applicant is a Solo Parent, such as but not limited to:
- Death certificate of the spouse
- Declaration of nullity of marriage
- Medical certificate – if incapacitated
- Income Tax Return (ITR) or Certification from the Barangay/Municipal Treasurer
Alburo Alburo and Associates Law Offices specializes in business law and labor law consulting. For inquiries, you may reach us at info@alburolaw.com, or dial us at (02)7745-4391/0917-5772207.
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