Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Law approved on third reading by the Senate

On Monday, December 13, senators voted 22-0-0 in favor of Senate Bill 1411, which would increase the benefits currently provided to solo parents under Republic Act 8972 or the Solo Parents Welfare Act of 2000.

Under the bill, the definition of a solo parent would be further expanded to also include the following:

• The spouse of a low- or semi-skilled overseas Filipino worker who has continuously worked abroad for 12 months or more
• Foster parents recognized by the Department of Social Welfare and Development
• Legal guardians acknowledged by the court
• Relatives who have the sole responsibility for caring for a child

Currently, RA 8972 considers the following as solo parents:

• A woman who gives birth as a result of rape and other crimes against chastity
• Parent whose spouse died
• Parent whose spouse is detained or is serving sentence for a criminal conviction for at least one year
• Parent whose spouse was certified by a public medical practitioner as either physically or mentally incapacitated, or both
• Parent left alone with the responsibility of parenthood due to legal separation or de facto separation from spouse for at least one year
• Parent whose marriage was annulled and is left with the custody of the children
• Parent whose spouse abandoned them for at least one year
• Unmarried mother or father who has preferred to rear his or her children
• Any person who solely provides parental care and support to a child
• Any family member who assumes responsibility of head of family as a result of the death, abandonment, disappearance, or prolonged absence of parents
• SB 1411 would grant a monthly cash subsidy worth P1,000 to each solo parent.

Solo parents would also automatically qualify for coverage under the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, with premiums to be paid by the government.

SB 1411 would also prioritize solo parents, particularly solo mothers re-entering the work force, and their children in apprenticeship and scholarship programs of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, but “subject to eligibility and qualifications.”