DSWD to help solo parents

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will assist solo parents, considered among the disadvantaged and vulnerable members of society, an official said yesterday.

“We need to intensify and broaden the advocacy campaign and implement appropriate programs for solo parents, those who are raising their children alone,” said DSWD Secretary Judy Taguiwalo.

There are still local officials who do not know the provisions of Republic Act 8972 or the Solo Parents Welfare Act of 2000, and have the wrong perception that only working solo parents should be issued identification cards so they can avail of the seven-day parental leave, she said.

“It is clear in the law that all legitimate solo parents, whether they have or do not have jobs, should be issued IDs so they can access the benefits integrated here,” Taguiwalo said.

According to the National Statistics Office, there are 14 million solo parents in the Philippines.   

DSWD from Listahanan, the agency’s database on poor families, show that of 15.1 million households assessed, 1.8 million or 11.9 percent households have a solo parent member.

Among the services the DSWD provides for solo parents are counseling; financial, emergency, medical and burial assistance; livelihood and skills enhancement; scholarship and educational grants; legal; PhilHealth assistance and temporary shelter.