CITY’S Social Welfare and Development officer in charge of the Solo Parent Welfare Act Mary Apple Tabafa today said under the “Expanded” Solo Parents Welfare Act, the city government will provide more benefits to solo parents in Cagayan de Oro.
The city government, according to Tabafa, is now even pushing the approval of the P1,000 monthly cash subsidy that will be received by low-income solo parents.
“I am hopeful for the swift implementation of the expanded Act in the city,” said Tabafa adding that it would help a lot of single parents after the law has already been approved.
The CSWD, the primary agency tasked to implement the program in the city would be ready to provide expanded services to the beneficiaries, Tabafa said.
“I am also hopeful of the law to be implemented to address the pressing needs of solo parents,” she added.
Cagayan de Oro City 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez said the House of Representatives already approved on final reading a bill that aims to grant additional benefits to solo parents in the country.
The Expanded Solo Parents Act (RA 1186), authored by Rodriguez, became a law on September 30, 2022, which essentially amends the Solo Parents Welfare Act of 2000 (RA 8972), while the same bill was approved by the Senate on the third and final reading on December 13, 2021.
“A technical working group has been formed to draft the IRR for Republic Act 11861 which grants solo parents the P1,000 monthly subsidy,” said Tabafa.
She explained that the expanded law will entitle solo parents earning a minimum wage or lower to a monthly cash subsidy of P1,000 from the local government unit, provided that the solo parent is not a beneficiary of any other cash assistance program.
Tabafa said the TWG, under the City Council’s Committee on Women and Family Relations chair City Councilor Imee Moreno will also include in the draft the financial, educational, and housing benefits to help them ease the load of rearing a child alone.
City Council secretary Arturo San Miguel confirmed the local version of the law, saying Ordinance No. 14333-2022 was passed to institutionalize the programs by appropriating funds for the Solo Parent Welfare Act authored by then-Councilor Inday Dahino.
However, De San Miguel did not clarify if the City Council will want to revisit the ordinance granting a P5,000 annual financial assistance for qualified solo parents in the city.
“I am hoping that Councilor Moreno, the present chair of the women and family relations committee will be brought up the concern of the new law,” said De San Miguel.
According to De San Miguel, benefits and assistance for solo parents are provided under Dahino’s Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act.
“The new law will be of great help to solo parents, especially since they are raising their children single-handedly,” Tabafa said.
Data showed that there are over a thousand solo parents in Cagayan de Oro City, most of which are women, according to Tabafa.
Rose Cherry V. Ruiz, Information Officer-Protective Services Division of the regional social welfare department reiterated the law that mandates the local government units to provide cash assistance or subsidy per month aside from automatic membership with the Philippine Health Insurance Corp to solo parents.
“Qualified solo parents will now receive a P1,000 monthly cash subsidy under a new law that will provide more benefits including discounts,” said Ruiz.
Ruiz said the law also grants solo parents exemption from value-added tax and a 10 percent discount on purchases for child care, such as food, diapers, milk, medicine, and vaccines for their children from infant to six years old.
“With the new Law, expect readiness, efficiency, and transparency from the DSWD,” said Ruiz to include its partner agencies, local governments, and the business sector in providing enhanced social services, benefits, and discounts entitled to all solo parents to truly improve their plight.
Under the law, solo parents are entitled to 10 percent discounts and exemption from the value-added tax on the sale of necessities of their child or children, like clothing, baby’s milk and food, and children’s medicine, among others, under a specific period of validity.
“Education assistance is also enhanced, as a full scholarship for a solo parent’s child is guaranteed,” said Ruiz.
Furthermore, the expanded law provides employment opportunities for solo parents as they are prioritized in the government’s livelihood, training, and poverty alleviation initiatives.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) will start implementing discounts and a 12% value-added tax exemption (VAT) for solo parents under the Expanded Solo Parents Act (RA 11861).
Under the law, principally authored by Rodriguez, solo parents who have children aged six and below and are earning less than P250,000 annually are all qualified to avail of the 10 percent discount and 12% VAT exemption under the law.
“The discount and exemption would apply to the purchase of various goods in drug stores, pharmacies, grocery stores, and similar establishments,” the BIR said.
It said solo parents will be able to avail of a 10% discount and 12% VAT exemption on baby’s milk, food and micronutrient supplements, sanitary diapers, medicines, vaccines, and other medical supplements.
They are required to present their parent identification card and booklet to avail of the discount and VAT exemption.
To get the ID and Booklet, the solo parent must bring the following documents to the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWD), such as Barangay certification certifying Solo Parent’s residency in the barangay for the last six months; Certificates e.g., birth certificates of children, death certificate of spouse, and other appropriate documentary support; and Income tax return or any document that will establish the income level of the solo parent.
