P5T for solo parents out next year

CEBU, Philippines - Even as some city councilors announced that solo parents in Cebu City will get their financial assistance only in 2022, Mayor Michael Rama said yesterday he will make sure they will get at least P5,000 next year.

“I will insist that they will get their financial assistance. My position is to let them enjoy the P5,000,” Rama said in a press conference.

 As of November, the Department of Social Welfare and Services said that of the estimated 8,000 beneficiaries, the city has 4,089 newly registered solo parents.

 The problem, said Councilor Sisinio Andales, is that these solo parents would need to vote in the 2016, 2019 and 2022 elections for them to avail of the cash assistance.

The ordinance requires beneficiaries to be a registered and resident voter of the city who have voted in three consecutive local and national elections. Only those with an annual gross income of below P60,000 are qualified.

 Rama said it is not “logical” to approve an ordinance that takes effect eight years after its passage.

 “Dili na mahimo nga magbuhat ta og ordinance na effective 2022 na. Dili na mao. If ever mao na interpretation ni Atty. Andales, then he is probably against giving benefits. The council should not frustrate. They should support in the spirit of giving, not postponing,” Rama said.

 He said solo parents who have voted in previous elections are already qualified.

 Rama said the “shift” in sentiment may be an admission on the part of the City Council that it failed to deliberate over the ordinance well.

 “It becomes an admission that they were not able to deliberate it so well and they made a mistake. Only fools will change their minds. What kind of a Council do we have?” he said.

 Councilor Margarita Osmeña said the council only wants to check the “validity” of the ordinance and how it was interpreted. 

 Rama said if the Solo Parent Ordinance would encourage premarital sex among the youth, promiscuity, and other ills that destroy the very foundation of families, it should be repelled.

He stressed that P5,000 will not suffice in raising children.

Even though he vetoed the ordinance at first for being impracticable, discriminatory and violative of the equal protection clause guaranteed by the Constitution, Rama said he realized that the assistance will benefit those who are in need. 

 The executive department has budgeted P40 million for the implementation of the ordinance next year, including the grant of scholarship, livelihood assistance, and prioritization in housing projects.

 “Let’s make a try. There are lots of solo parents. Why make them salivate? If giving financial aid will make our solo parents happy, why deprive them? It will not deplete much our coffers,” Rama said. – (FREEMAN)