Solo parents in Cebu City to enjoy 10% discount on goods, services

CEBU, Philippines —  The Cebu City Council has approved an ordinance providing additional benefits, discounts and incentives for solo parents and their children pursuant to Republic Act 8972 or the Solo Parents’ Welfare Act of 2000.

The ordinance, which was authored by Councilors Alvin Dizon, Eduardo Rama Jr., and Lea Japson, aims to ease the plight of solo parents and their children and to promote and protect their rights and welfare.

Dizon said solo parents and their children can only avail of or fully enjoy what are due to them under the law if an effective local mechanism is created to address accessibility issue.

The ordinance grants a single parent 10 percent discount on goods and services.

These include grocery items, school supplies, and wellness and entertainment, such as movie, parks, salon and spa and fitness—which shall be availed every first and third Saturdays of the month.

On the other hand, discount on medical and dental services, and vocational and formal education services will be given at the time the services are availed of.

To avail of the discount, a single or solo parent should present his/her identification card issued by the Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWS).

The ordinance covers all commercial establishments within the city.

DSWS is tasked to conduct a city-wide registration of all solo parents and their children to establish a database.

The data include name, age, address, source of livelihood, and dependent, among others.

Change of civil status shall automatically result to the disqualification from any privileges under the ordinance.

RA 9872 provides social development and welfare services, such as livelihood, self-employment and skills development, employment-related benefits, educational, health, and housing services for solo parents and their families.

It mandates “a comprehensive program of services” for solo parents and their children.

Solo parents are those who are left alone with the responsibility of rearing their children.  KQD (FREEMAN)